Mekedatu dam row: Farmers call for bandh in TN

The Opposition parties-backed state-wide farmers' bandh over the Mekedatu dam row will get underway here tomorrow, though the state government has distanced itself from it.

The bandh call is to press the Centre to rein in Karnataka from going ahead with its proposed plan build a dam at Mekedatu and to urge it to set up the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority.

Affiliated trade unions of eight state-run transport corporations of these parties, traders' associations, retailers, vegetable traders and sand lorry operators are among those who have expressed support for the shutdown.

The bandh is likely to be total in the Cauvery Delta districts, including Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam.

The ruling AIADMK has so far not expressed support and its transport trade union is also not likely to support it.

DMK, main opposition DMDK, PMK, MDMK, Left parties, Congress, G K Vasan-led Tamil Maanila Congress, which are supporting the bandh,have said their members will not take part in Assembly proceedings tomorrow in a show of support to the bandh.

BJP had said it is not in favour of a bandh, but would not "oppose it" as it was a decision of all farmers associations.

On its part, the state government today adopted a unanimous resolution urging the Centre to rein in Karnataka from going ahead with its plan to build a new dam across river Cauvery.

Police said all precautionary measures have been taken, including enhanced patrolling and deployment of personnel along the Karnataka border and in Central government offices to ensure maintenance of law and order.