More than 7,000 held in Tiruvarur, Thanjavur

More than 7,000 cadre belonging to opposition parties and farmers’ organisations were detained when they staged protests in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts on Thursday, slamming the Centre for its failure to constitute the Cauvery Management Board.

Most of the shops and trading establishments remained shut during the day in response to a bandh call in support of farmers. A majority of TNSTC buses were operated although passenger foot fall was low. Mini buses and private buses remained off the roads, as also autorickshaws and taxis. Banks transacted business but with few customers.

In Thanjavur, a total of 4,180 cadre belonging to the DMK, CPI, CPI (M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Dravidar Kazhagam and other Opposition parties were taken into custody for participating in road rokos at 80 places, rail rokos at nine places, staging protest demonstrations and gheraoing of Central Government institutions. They included four DMK MLAs.

More than 50 Naam Tamizhar Katchi cadre stormed the Income Tax Department office on Nanjikkottai Road, evicted the employees and occupied the office. SP T. Senthil Kumar rushed to the spot and issued a stern warning to them following which they came out and were arrested.

Ernakulam-Karaikal Express was detained thrice: before Thanjavur Junction, at the junction and at Kulikarai near Tiruvarur. Former TNCC president E.V.K.S. Elangovan, who was travelling from Tiruchi to Thanjavur by road, participated in the protest held at Sanoorapatti. Advocates boycotted courts for the third day on Thursday and held a protest demonstration.

Chopped tree branches were placed in the middle of the road near Poondi village on the Thanjavur-Nagapattinam highway and police had to be deployed to clear them.

In Tiruvarur district, police detained more than 2,900 cadre. Road and rail rokos were conducted at 40 places in the district and the hartal was complete during the day with most of the shops remaining shut.

A DMK functionary, Mohan, tried to douse himself with kerosene and set himselfi afire. But police personnel and his party colleagues intervened and prevented any untoward incident.

At Kulikarai station, scores of Opposition party cadre waited for nearly three hours to block Ernakulam-Karaikal Express, which was already detained twice in Thanjavur district.