Cauvery dispute: Top opposition leaders detained during protest in TN

Chennai/ Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu) [India], Sept. 16 (ANI): Top opposition leaders including M.K. Stalin and Kanimozhi of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko have been detained today as they backed the shutdown called in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka. Stalin was arrested while attempting to stop trains and his sister Kanimozhi was arrested as she staged a road block in Chennai while Vaiko was arrested during the protest in Tiruchirappalli. The shutdown has been called by the farmers and trade unions, who have been demanding that Karnataka release Tamil Nadu's share of water from the Cauvery river. They have also asked the Tamil Nadu Government to ensure that violence since last week in Karnataka targeting Tamilians and their property is stopped. Most shops and restaurants have been closed in Chennai and there are very few private buses and auto-rickshaws on the roads in wake of the shutdown call, which has been backed by the DMK, Congress, MDMK, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Trinamool Congress (TMC), CPI (M), CPI and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK). The DMK and VCK workers today staged 'Rail Roko' protest in Tamil Nadu's Hosur. The government buses, trains and flights have, however, not been affected. Schools, colleges and government offices are open. The Tamil Nadu farmers association also staged a 'Rail Roko' protest at Saidapet railway station. Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court lambasted Karnataka for defying its order citing law and order situation in the state and said its stand "is absolutely disturbing" and "totally depreciable," but modified its September 5 order asking Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery river water per day to Tamil Nadu till September 20 from the earlier 15,000 cusecs a day. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also assured full assistance to the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments to deal with the current state of violence. Describing the violence in Karnataka as "alarming", Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah earlier wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart J. Jayalalithaa to ensure that the perpetrators of the violence are immediately brought to book. Siddaramaiah appealed for peace and urged her to ensure the safety of Kannada speaking people living in the state and urged the Tamil Nadu authorities to take action against those indulging in violence. Jayalalithaa wrote back, saying Tamils in Karnataka were in greater danger than Kannadigas in Tamil Nadu. Expressing concern, she said, "Hotels and properties belonging to Tamils in Karnataka are being attacked and damaged. This is an alarming situation and is causing considerable anxiety." (ANI)