CHENNAI: The opposition parties and farmers associations staged rail rook protests across Tamil Nadu since this morning, charging the BJP-led Centre of taking a stand favourable to Karnataka in the Cauvery river water dispute.
Leaders and cadre of almost all parties – barring ruling AIADMK and of course, the target of the ire, BJP – blocked railway service across Tamil Nadu, seeking the immediate constitution of the Cauvery Management Board. The protests were led by opposition leader and DMK treasurer MK Stalin, who blocked a suburban train at Perambur in Chennai. Similar protests were staged by leaders of various parties targeting different railway stations in Tamil Nadu.
Once formed, the board will take control of dividing Cauvery water among the states.
The protesters alleged that BJP’s Central government took the stand against the constitution of the board with an eye on the upcoming polls in Karnataka, the only State in the south where the party has influence.
A large number of police personnel were posted at Chennai Central right from the morning, even as the 48-hour statewide rail roko, originally called by farmers organisations, began. Over 500 personnel drawn from RPF, RPSF, Armed Reserve Police force as well as State police were deployed near the station.
Keeping a strict vigil over the crowd, police personnel were seen to be checking tickets randomly and also of those deemed suspicious.
As police blocked cadres from entering the stations, it resulted in traffic snarls in front of the railway stations.
Today, the expert committee formed by the Supreme Court submitted a status report after visiting Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.