TN observes bandh over Mekedaatu controversy

Joining chorus with political parties, lakhs of farmers in the Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu on Thursday observed a bandh to condemn Karnataka’s proposal to construct two new dams across the Cauvery at Mekedaatu.

With support from political parties, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led by Vaiko, Tamil Manila Congress headed by G K Vasan and the Left parties, farmers staged a “rail roko” in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam.

The bandh call was supported by the Tiruvarur District All Farmers Associations Coordination Committee, an umbrella organisation comprising more than 25 farmers associations to protect the interest of farmers of the Cauvery delta district.

Even the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, too, condemned Karnataka's move to build reservoirs on the Cauvery.