On day two, Cauvery protests rage across railway stations

Thousands of opposition party workers were arrested across the state including leaders like MDMK general secretary Vaiko, DPI leader Tirumavalavan, CPM leader Selva Singh and CPI leader Veerapandian for blocking trains demanding the formation of Cauvery Management Board. 

Train traffic was affected at important stations like Egmore for several hours as the party workers turned up in large numbers and even dared to cook their meals on the railway tracks. 

Police arrested the protesting workers. Vaiko and Tirumavalavan even managed to get on top of the engine of a train. However, none of the party cadre were remanded though, blocking a train is considered a serious offence.

In Tiruchy, the workers of various parties and farmers’ associations, traders’ association around 9.30 am blocked the Mayiladuthurai-Tiruchy Express even before it entered the Platform Number 1. The DMK leaders including former Union Minister SS Palanimanickam, former state Minister SNM Ubayadullah, former MP L Ganesan led the protesters. T Vellaiyan, the state president of the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu led his association members in blocking the train. Members of farmers’ association led by V Durainmanickam, state general secretary, PK Deivasigamani, the president of Tamil Nadu farmers’ federation led the farmers in the protest.

After the protesters were arrested by the police, the members of TMC led by GK Vasan, sneaked into the railway station and blocked the same train, they too were arrested.

In Madurai, a large number of DMK and TMC cadres assembled at the railway junction and tried to stage a rail roko. Police took them into custody as they tried to forcibly enter the premises. 

The water level in Mettur dam dropped drastically to 63.68 feet on Tuesday with reduced inflow. It was 87.68 feet in mid-September. The outflow from the reservoir continued to be maintained at 12,000 cusec for irrigation in the Delta districts. Three days ago the inflow was about 7,051 cusecs. It was reduced to 3,738 cusecs on Sunday evening. With Karnataka lowering the outflow into Cauvery, 2,400 cusec was received on Monday evening, a PWD official said.