DMK leaders M. K. Stalin and Kanimozhi were among several leaders detained today while staging protests in support of a shutdown called in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery row, as the dawn to dusk bandh called by farmers, traders and supported by the Opposition over the issue evoked a mixed response in the state.
Meanwhile, a youth who had set himself on fire over the Cauvery issue yesterday, succumbed to injuries, police said.
The activist belonging to the Naam Tamizhar Katchi had suffered over 90 per cent burns and died this morning.
“We were giving him all possible treatment. However, he suffered a cardiac arrest and despite our best efforts, he could not be revived,” a senior hospital official told PTI.
Several establishments remained shut in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Nilgiris districts, affecting normal life, in response to the bandh call.
About 20,000 small and medium-scale units in and around the city and over 30,000 garment factories in the textile hub of Tirupur also extended support to the bandh and downed shutters, according to reports.
In Chennai, DMK treasurer Stalin led a rally from Rajarathinam stadium to Egmore Railway station. He then squatted in front of the railway terminal along with hundreds of party workers after his attempt to stage a rail roko was foiled by police, who detained him along with his protesters.
DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, who staged a road roko on the arterial Anna Salai along with DMK supporters, was later detained by police in a marriage hall. She has sought convening of an all-party meeting over the Cauvery issue.
In Coimbatore, senior leaders of various political parties, including DMK and MDMK and farmers’ associations, were arrested while trying to stage a rail roko near railway stations and road blockades.
The bandh did not affect functioning of state and Central Government offices in Tamil Nadu, which remained open.
While state transport corporation-run buses besides trains are operating as usual, some autorickshaws, taxis and commercial freight operators stayed off the roads.
Farmers’ leader P R Pandian also took part in protests with farmers of various organisations.
VCK Chief Thol Thirumavalavan, who staged a rail roko with his supporters by blocking a North India-bound express train, was detained by police near Basin Bridge here.
Meanwhile, DMDK leaders and party workers led by party leader Premalatha Vijaykanth, went on a fast at the party headquarters in the state capital. They held aloft placards and raised slogans against the Centre and Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments.
They condemned the violence against Tamils in Karnataka and sought protection for them.
In Tiruchirapalli, MDMK supremo Vaiko courted arrest while trying to block trains.
Large-scale demonstrations were on in Thanjavur and the the Cauvery delta region, led by VCK, MDMK and Left parties.
The bandh has been called to protest 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 to it, all other opposition parties, including the DMK, Tamil Nadu Congress, DMDK, MDMK, Left parties and PMK, are supporting the bandh.
Thousands of police personnel, including armed reserve forces, have been deployed in Tamil Nadu. In Chennai alone, over 15,000 police personnel are on duty.
Protection is being provided to Karnataka related business establishments, schools, institutions and areas where Kannada speaking people live, including in Krishnagiri district.