Pondicherry: The union territory of Pondicherry, on October 7 night decided to
follow the example of Tamil Nadu and observe a dawn to dusk bandh on October 9,
urging the Karnataka government to release water to save the ryots in Karaikal
region.
AIADMK state committee secretary, K Natarajan told reporters that all political
parties had extended support for the bandh. He also appealed to all workers,
transport operators and other sections of society to ensure that the bandh was a
success.
Earlier, an all-party meet, convened by Chief Minister N Rangasamy, had asked Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka to ensure release of Pondicherry's share of Cauvery water and to
take a delegation of leaders to meet Prime Minister A B Vajpayee on his return from
abroad to present its case.
It adopted a resolution, urging both the upper riparian states to ensure release of
Cauvery water to Karaikal region, which depend on the Cauvery for irrigation.
The meeting also unanimously decided that a delegation of leaders of all parties,
led by Rangasamy, would meet Vajpayee at Delhi on return from his European tour to
make out a strong case of Pondicherry to have its share of Cauvery river water.
The proposed delegation would also call on Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani to press
him to sanction drought relief fund to the state.
PTI
