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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On Friday, schools and shops remained shut across the state. Petrol pumps have also been shut down in large areas, even as security has been tightened in the border areas.
There were several incidents in which Tamil Nadu truck drivers were humiliated and assaulted by the demonstrators in Karnataka.
PR Pandian, President of Cauvery Delta All Farmers Association’s Coordination Committee said a protest will be held at Egmore station in Chennai on Friday.
A report from Puducherry, where a bandh was observed by Tamil outfits and political parties, said an effigy of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was burnt outside the bus terminal allegedly by some agitators while a state-run bus was stoned.
On Friday, Top opposition leaders of DMK – MK Stalin and Kanimozhi and MDMK’s Vaiko have arrested as they support a bandh in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka.
The bandh has reportedly been called to protest the violence targeting Tamils in Karnataka and also to seek Cauvery water for the state.
Widespread violence had erupted that day in Bengaluru and some other parts of Karnataka, while sporadic trouble was witnessed in Tamil Nadu following the Supreme Court’s modified order on sharing Cauvery water by the two riparian states.
Preliminary reports reaching here said about 1,000 DMK men led by former Minister I.Periyasamy were arrested when they blocked the Vaigai super fast express train at Dindigul railway station. Police said that a probe was on in the matter.
The dawn to dusk bandh is already in place and has significantly hit normal life.
Police took into custody leaders and cadres of the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and other parties who tried to stage demonstrations on railway tracks and roads.
Hearing the plea, the SC then amended its order, directing Karnataka to release a reduced quantum of 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu till September 20.
The source said the data is being analysed by officials from the Union Water Resources Ministry and Central Water Commission.
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It may resume only after September 20, they added.
