Tamil Nadu bandh: Protesters block road, rail services

Normal life in Tamil Nadu was affected on Friday due to a general strike called by different groups representing farmers, traders, transporters and others over the Cauvery water issue.

Road and rail services, especially, took a hit with autos, taxis and commercial freight operators remaining off the roads.

State transport corporation-run buses and trains were operating as usual, according to reports.

 

Opposition parties, including the DMK, joined the protests. The party's leader MK Stalin was arrested while attempting to stop trains, while his sister staged a road block in Chennai.

 

Thousands of police personnel were deployed across the state to maintain law and order.

Police said tight vigil was being maintained and no attempts to mar public peace or disruption of free movement of transportation - on road or rail - would be allowed.

 

Several local grocery shops, which usually open by daybreak, remained shut in view of the protests.

 

The bandh has been called in protest against the violence targeting Tamils in Karnataka and also to seek Cauvery water for the state.

Barring the ruling AIADMK, its allies and trade unions affiliated, all other Opposition parties, including the DMK, Tamil Nadu Congress, DMDK, MDMK, Left parties and the PMK, are supporting the bandh.

 

Thousands of police personnel, including armed reserve forces, have been deployed in Tamil Nadu and in Chennai over 15,000 policemen are on duty.

 

Protection was being provided for Karnataka-related business establishments, schools, institutions and areas where Kannada speaking people live, including Krishnagiri district.

(With inputs from agencies)