Chennai: Normal civic and business activities all over Tamil Nadu came to a
standstill on October 9 during the dawn-to-dusk 'general strike' called by all
political parties on the Cauvery water issue.
Except for two stray incidents of stone pelting causing damage to a government-owned
express bus and a private milk lorry in Thiruvannamalai town, the strike
was "totally peaceful". Nearly 25 members of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra
Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) who obstructed workers at the
Kalpakkam Atomic Power Plant were arrested, according to police sources.
Effigies of Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna were burnt in Chennai and five
other places.
Elaborate bandobast and security arrangements were made by the state police to
ensure peace and maintain essential services, like milk and water supply and health.
Shops and business establishments remained closed. Buses and trucks were off the
roads.
Train services were not operated. State government offices saw only minimum
attendance while Central government offices registered 'marginal' attendance.
Educational institutions remained closed and several industrial houses observed
either total or partial strike. Cinema houses remained closed in the entire state.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister and AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa thanked everyone for making
the 'general strike' a total success, without giving room for any violence.
PTI
