TN Bandh successful, claims farm leader

Tamil Nadu bandh called by various farmers unions and supported by all major political parties on Saturday passed off peacefully with no reports of any untoward incidents coming anywhere from the State. The bandh was against the move by the Karnataka Government to construct a reservoir at Mekedatu across the Cauvery. Farmers fear that the reservoir would make Tamil Nadu a desert.   

Though normal life in Chennai was not affected, districts along the Cauvery basin wore deserted looks with most of the shops and business establishments downing the shutters. Buses did not ply and functioning of the Government offices got affected.

“The bandh was a total success. This is the first time in recent history people responded to a bandh call and  we hope the Union Government would take note of their feelings,” said PR Pandian, chief coordinator of all farmers’ associations in Tamil Nadu.The farmers also want the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board for the implementation of the final award by the Cauvery River Water dispute Tribunal made in 2007.