Cauvery issue: AIADMK hunger strike underway across TN, DMK protest continues

Cauvery issue: AIADMK hunger strike underway across TN, DMK protest continues

Krishna Raja Sagara Dam built on Cauvery river. (File Photo: IANS)

Chennai, April 3 (IANS) A one-day hunger strike called by Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK was underway across the state on Tuesday in protest against the Central government's failure to set up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) despite a Supreme Court order.

Chief Minister K.Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam participated in the strike here, while in districts, the protest was led by other ministers and party leaders. The protest that began at 8 a.m., will conclude at 5 p.m. The rival DMK and its allies, who have also called for a shut down strike on Thursday, continued their protests by blocking suburban trains. Some of the protesters were taken into custody, the police said. Abiding to a call by the traders association, several shops across the state were closed. The top court in its February 16 verdict had reduced the Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water from 177.25 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), which was less than 192 TMC allocated by a tribunal in 2007. On the other hand, Karnataka's share of water was increased by 14.75 TMC. The Centre has failed to set up the CMB within six weeks of the apex court's February 16 order. The deadline ended on March 29. Tamil Nadu political leaders say the Bharatiya Janata Party was acting in favour of Karnataka, which is opposed to the CMB and where Assembly elections are due. --IANS vj/ksk/vm

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