Numerous protests were staged across the core delta districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam on Tuesday against the Central Government for not constituting the Cauvery management board even after the Supreme Court’s orders.
In Thanjavur, Agriculture Minister R. Duraikannu, AIADMK Rajya Sabha member R. Vaithilingam, senior party leader and former Minister Vaigai Selvan, MLAs C.V. Sekar (Pattukkottai) and M. Govindarajan (Peravurani) observed their fast oppoiste the Head Post Office.
Meanwhile, several cadres belonging to the DMK and its other allies in the Opposition gathered outside the LIC Divisional Office in Thanjavur and raised slogans denouncing the Centre. Some protesters pelted stones at the sign boards, damaging them.
Over 30 cadres of the Tamilaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam were rounded up when they attempted to stage a rail roko near the Thanjavur junction.
Many shops remained open and transacted business during the day even as a section of the traders had given a call for a bandh in support of the farmers. Traders attributed the lukewarm response to the call as the DMK has called for a shutdown on Wednesday.
Advocates resorted to the boycott of court proceedings during the day in Thanjavur.
Eating sand
In Papanasam, the DMK and allies staged a protest demonstration.
In Kumbakonam, farmers belonging to the Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, led by Swamimalai Vimalnathan, resorted to a novel protest by ''eating sand'' in front of the Head Post Office. Advocates boycotted courts and staged a demonstration in front of the court complex.
Several trading establishments remained closed for the day while farmers and public felt that the multiple calls for agitations had taken the wind out of the sails in the traders’ protests in Kumbakonam.
In Tiruvarur district, the AIADMK protest was held opposite the Railway Junction, led by former Minister P. Valarmathi and among the participants were Food Minister R. Kamaraj, former Minister K.A. Jayapal, Mannargudi S. Ranganathan, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, and P.R. Pandian, Coordinator, Tamil Nadu All Farmers Federation.
Many shops have downed shutters while police detained eight persons when they attempted to stage a rail roko.
