Farmers Movement Archive

Bandh against farm laws has some impact in Tamil Nadu, is total in Puducherry

CHENNAI: The nation-wide Bharat bandh called by various farmers' organisations and opposition parties on Tuesday, demanding that the three new farm laws be repealed, passed off peacefully across the state. While it hardly made any impact in most parts of the state, normal life almost came to a halt in the delta districts in central Tamil Nadu. Most commercial establishments remained closed in Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai and Thanjavur districts. Taxis and auto rickshaws remained off the roads in these districts, but government and private buses plied with very few passengers. Police arrested over 8,000 protestors including farmers and cadres of the DMK and its alliance partners for resorting to road and rail roko in delta districts. The bandh evoked mixed response in Madurai district. Police said 1,250 people affiliated to the DMK and its allies were arrested at 15 places in Madurai district. Their attempts to block train were thwarted by police. The bandh was a failure in most northern districts, where life was normal and vehicles plied as usual. Police detained 920 people in Villupuram district for attempting to block roads. More than 750 people, including 94 women were arrested in Cuddalore district. In Coimbatore, more than 70% of commercial establishments functioned as usual. However, the bandh was near total in the Union territory of Puducherry, especially in Puducherry and Karaikal towns. Roads remained almost empty as private and government buses did not operate. Buses from Tamil Nadu were stopped at the border. There was no major violence or untoward incident though. Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy visited the protest venue and extended his support to the protesting farmers.

The Times of India

2020-12-09

Chennai