JOIN USThe day-long bandh called in Tamil Nadu on Saturday evoked a mixed response, with normal life being partially affected, as Karnataka termed the stir “politically motivated”.
The dawn-to-dusk bandh against Karnataka’s move to build a reservoir at Mekedatu across the Cauvery river, was called by the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations and supported by Opposition parties, including the DMK, the DMDK, the MDMK and the Left, besides traders’ associations.
It was marked by protests, and rail and road blockade for brief spells across the state.
The police said the bandh passed peacefully and there was no untoward incident except blocking of road and rail traffic in some places in Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Tiruchirappalli districts, where shops were closed and bus stands and railway stations wore a deserted look.
The ruling AIADMK neither supported nor opposed the bandh.
On Friday, the state Assembly had adopted a unanimous resolution urging the Centre to rein in Karnataka on the issue.
The police, who had put in place adequate security across the state during the bandh, said normal life was affected in the Cauvery delta region and some other places.
Farmers bodies termed the bandh success, claiming lakhs of people had joined the protest, and saying that the proposed dam would deprive them of their irrigational requirements.
In some areas of the state, trains were held up briefly due to the agitation, and resumed after police intervention.