Thousands of farmers in the Delta districts were arrested on Friday for staging a day-long protest, demanding that the Karnataka government release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
This comes a day after the Tamil Nadu government decided to file an interim petition in the apex court with regard to the final award of the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal.
The farmers in the Delta districts of Thanjavur, Trichy, Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam, backed by political parties like the DMK, Tamil Maanila Congress and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, also staged demonstrations at several places to protest Karnataka’s move to construct a reservoir across the Cauvery river in Mekedatu.
Shops and business establishments closed down to express solidarity with the agitating farmers in the Delta regions. About 250 agitators were arrested when they attempted to burn the effigy of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Thiruvarur and Thanjavur districts.
Agriculturists, affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, from Pudukkottai and Cuddalore also organised rallies in support of the Delta farmers.
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