Tamil Nadu Shut Down Over Farmers’ Plight, DMK’s Stalin Detained

Shops and hotels are shut across the state and police personnel have been deployed in large numbers.

The opposition parties are seeking immediate resolution of the problems faced by the state’s drought-hit farmers. Image used for representational purpose. (Photo: IANS)

Normal life in Tamil Nadu was hit on Tuesday by a shutdown called by opposition parties to press for immediate resolution of the problems faced by the state’s drought-hit farmers.

The DMK’s working president MK Stalin was among those held as opposition parties held demonstrations in several parts of the state. Stalin was detained along with several party cadres in Tiruvarur.

While shops and hotels remain shut across Tamil Nadu, government buses continue to ply on roads. Central and state government offices, as well as those of public and private sector undertakings, remained open.

Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers at key locations across the state.

Besides calling for immediate action by the state and the central governments to address the farmers’ plight, the opposition parties have asked the Tamil Nadu government to waive off all farm loans. They have also sought a special session of the Assembly to discuss farmer-related issues.

Petrol pumps are open, with operators wearing black badges to express solidarity with the protesters.

According to news reports, a majority of hosiery units in Tirupur remained closed. In Tiruvarur, agitating farmers blocked railway tracks. Shops in neighbouring Puducherry too are shut.

(With inputs from IANS.)