CHENNAI: Amid raging protests in the last five days condemning the Centre for delay in constitution of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC), a dawn-to-dusk bandh sponsored by the opposition parties will be observed across Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
The bandh call was given on Sunday after an all-party meeting was held by Principal Opposition DMK. The same day, Opposition leaders led by DMK working president M K Stalin staged a demonstration at Valluvar Kottam and courted arrest.
Since then, the DMK and its allies, various farmers bodies and social organisations have been continuously staging different types of protests, including road and rail blockades for the CMB and CWRC.The support for the bandh seems to be increasing as 10 trade unions in the State transport corporations affiliated to opposition parties have already extended their support to the stir and announced that they would not operate buses.
On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peravai led by T Vellaiyan extended support to the bandh call. It has withdrawn its plan for a closure of shops on April 11.
“Peravai decides to take part in the April 5 bandh called by majority of the political parties in order to show the anger of 8.5 crore Tamils. So, all the traders must down the shutters,” Vellaian said.
His rival organisation led by A M Vikiramaraja of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sankangalin Peramaippu too has expressed solidarity with opposition parties, though it closed the shops on Tuesday.Several farmers’ bodies too are joining the bandh on Thursday to register their strong protest against the Centre.PMK founder S Ramadoss has extended support to the bandh, responding to a plea from Stalin. Similarly, Latchiya Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam founder and film personality T Rajendhar has declared his support for the stir.
“Depending on the situation, we will organise either road or rail blockade on Thursday morning,” former Chennai Mayor and DMK MLA M Subramanian told Express.Senior CPI leader and former MP D Pandian will lead a road blockade at Madhya Kailash in Adayar.Stalin issued an appeal to the public and parties to make the bandh a huge success in order to show the sentiments of Tamils, who have taken a combative posture against the Centre’s betrayal.
Meanwhile, police were making elaborate security arrangements to avert any untoward incident.
“Bus stands, depots, railway stations and places where public gather in large numbers are being brought under security blanket. Intelligence sleuths are keeping a round-the-clock vigil,” a police officer said. More than one lakh police personnel would be deployed for security across TN on Thursday, police said.