Autos stay off the road, govt. buses operated

The dawn-to-dusk bandh called by the DMK-led opposition parties to condemn the police firing in Thoothukudi in which 13 persons were killed, evoked partial response in Tamil Nadu on Friday.

Several political leaders, including DMK working president M. K. Stalin, who staged protests in different parts of the state, were detained and let off in the evening.

While autorickshaw drivers belonging to trade unions affiliated to the opposition parties stayed off the road, the government managed to operate transport corporation buses using the services of the crew affiliated to the ruling AIADMK’s trade union. Train services were not affected.

In Thoothukudi, however, attempts by the district administration and the police to build confidence in the people and restore normalcy hit a roadblock with not many venturing out of their home.

Buses were operated with police protection in the district, but had little patronage. The bandh evoked mixed response in the western, southern and delta regions of the state.

‘A total success’

Mr. Stalin, however, described the bandh as a total success and vowed to continue the agitation to step up pressure on the State government on the Sterlite issue.