Chennai, Sept. 16 (Agencies): The bandh called in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water-sharing issue shut down small and medium units here as well as the textiles hub of Tirupur, but had no effect on attendance in government offices.
Advertisement
“This exercise was aimed at out of court settlement rather than waiting for the Supreme Court to dispose of petitions filed by both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu questioning the final orders of the Cauvery Tribunal”, he said.
A division bench of the court’s Madurai bench comprising Justices S Nagamuthu Muralidharan, dismissed the PIL after the central government pleader Srimathy submitted that the Centre had already initiated steps and the situation in Karnataka was returning to normal and there was no problem in Kerala.
In Trichy, MDMK leader Vaiko was prevented by the police from holding protest blocking the rail traffic. “The activists were taken into custody as the ban order under section 144 of CrPC against assembling of more than five persons in public places and populated areas has been extended till September 25 to maintain law and order”, asserted Reddy.
K R Nandakumar, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu Nursery Primary Matriculation and CBSE (private) Schools Association, said circulars have been sent to 18,000 schools in the state about the body’s decision to close down educational institutions on Friday on account of the bandh.
Many private schools also declared holiday while majority of auto-rickshaws, taxis and private buses remained off the roads.
Besides, about 4,300 shops in Koyambedu market selling flowers, vegetables and fruits too would not function.
However, essentials like milk delivery by the state government undertaking – Aavin was not affected.
However “Company Owned and Company Operated Fuel Outlets” of Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Indian Oil will operate, officials said.
Barring the ruling AIADMK party that is silent on extending support to the strike, all other major political parties have extended their support.
Speaking at an event in Gauribidanuru, Siddaramaih said state government would continue its legal battle and was committed to protecting the interests of the people.
The DMK and VCK workers today staged “Rail Roko” protest in Tamil Nadu’s Hosur.
In Chennai, DMK treasurer Stalin led a rally from Rajarathinam stadium to Egmore Railway station.
Farmers’ leader P R Pandian also took part in protests with farmers of various organisations.
Advertisement
State transport corporation-run buses and trains were operating as usual, according to reports.
