A majority of the shops, private schools, transport services like auto-rickshaws and private buses, and fuel outlets did not function in support of the shutdown, called to demand Cauvery river water and protest against attacks on Tamils and their property in Karnataka.
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Doctors in India smuggled a desperately ill patient across state borders under cover of darkness to receive a liver transplant after police said violent protests would make a journey by ambulance too unsafe.
Also, government, state-aided and most of the private schools and colleges functioned albeit with lesser turnout.
Kanimozhi also told The News Minute that the bandh was a peaceful bandh to protest events in Karnataka.
In Trichy, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko is prevented by the police from holding protest blocking the rail traffic.
Even when Vijay’s “Bairavaa” shoots are taking place outside Tamil Nadu state, they stopped the shooting in order to extend their support towards the Tamil Nadu Government. The party’s leader MK Stalin was arrested while attempting to stop trains, while his sister staged a road block in Chennai. VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan was detained in Chennai.
The court had on Wednesday agreed to hear the plea seeking direction to the Centre, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain law and order in these two States witnessing violent protests in the wake of a row over distribution of Cauvery water.
There were over 15,000 policemen on duty in Chennai.
Protection was being provided for Karnataka-related business establishments, schools, institutions and areas where Kannada speaking people live, including Krishnagiri district.
A Puducherry Road Transport Corporation was stoned on Vazhudavoor road, following which it was brought to the shed. Hotels and cinema houses were also closed.
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A branch of the Karnataka Bank remained closed as a precautionary measure and police were deployed there. The ruling said agitations needed to be video-graphed, with police securing an undertaking of peace by the organisers of such protests, according to The Hindu.
