)
The bandh came in response to Karnataka's Government decision to allocate Rs 25 crore for preparation of the Detailed Project Report to construct the dam, which farmers in Tamil Nadu have objected alleging that it would affect 22 districts of Tamil Nadu.
"A reservoir on Cauvery river will turn 22 districts of Tamil Nadu into a desert", P R Pandian, chief coordinator, Association of Farmers in Tamil Nadu told Media. The Association has called for bandh, which passed off peacefully barring protests and demonstrations across the state.
While opposition and other main political parties have supported the bandh, however the rulling AIADMK and BJP stayed away from the bandh but gave their moral support to the farmers' concern.
Government transport services were normal, which did not adversely affect normal life in the state. However, the effect of bandh could be felt in Cauvery delta districts, including Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam.
Over 300,000 farmers of Delta region depend on Cauvery waters for irrigation.
On Friday, Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution passed, which was moved by Tamil Nadu Government, urging the Centre to set up Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority (CWRA) as was suggested by the tribunal. The resolution also asked Centre to direct the Karnataka Government not to goahead with the construction of dam.
On Saturday, protestors stopped traffic in few places and train services were delayed for some time due to rail rook. Police arrested Pandian and his followers in Chennai. DMK treasurer and former deputy chief minister MK Stalin visited the police station where the arrested farmers were kept.
Tamil Chief minister O Panneerselvam has asked all the state's MPs to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge the centre to stop Karnataka from going ahead with the project, as it would adversely affect farming and farmers in Tamil Nadu. Cauvery is the lifeline of Tamil Nadu.
