Cauvery issue: Tamil outfit TVK warns of intensifying protests
After leading anti-IPL protests in the backdrop of the Cauvery issue last week, pro-Tamil outfit Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) today warned of intensifying its agitation, including holding protests at the Marina. TVK chief T Velmurugan also warned of disrupting water supply to an aluminum company owned by Vedanta Resources as well as to that of Southern Railway, as part of TVK's intensified protests.
TVK planned to hold agitations at Marina beach: Velmurugan
TVK's protest is regarding the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board (CMB). Vedanta Resources also operates Sterlite Copper in Tuticorin district. Locals have been demanding the closure of the smelter plant, citing health concerns. Velmurugan said as part of the Cauvery protests, TVK has planned to hold agitations at the Marina beach, provided it was permitted by the court and the police.
Police have banned any kind of protests at Marina
However, following massive pro-Jallikattu protests at Marina last year which ended on a violent note, police have banned any kind of protests or demonstrations. The Madras High Court is presently looking into a petition filed by farmers' leader P Ayyakannu seeking direction to the city police to permit him to stage a hunger strike for 90 days at Marina, demanding constitution of CMB.
Will stage a protest without disturbing the public: Velmurugan
Velmurugan said, "If permission is provided by the court and police, we will stage a protest (on CMB) without disturbing the public." His party could move the court on the matter, the TVK chief added. However, in the event of his party not getting a permission, the TVK leader also warned of staging another protest, elsewhere in Salem district.
Water supplied from the Mettur reservoir to Vedanta Resources
Velmurugan claimed that water was supplied from the Mettur reservoir to Vedanta Resources company Malco, and threatened to disrupt its supply to the aluminum plant if the CMB was not immediately constituted. TVK leader further alleged that underground water was being drawn from the Palar river to be supplied for Railways and threatened to disrupt its supply over CMB.
TN govt sought action against Centre for its "failure"
The Tamil Nadu government has recently moved the top court, seeking contempt action against the Centre for its "failure" to frame the scheme for the constitution of the CMB and the CWRC within six weeks from February 16.
TVK wanted IPL fixtures to be transferred out of city
Earlier, TVK was among the pro-Tamil outfits that had wanted the IPL fixtures to be transferred out of this city in view of the raging Cauvery protests. Velmurugan had earlier said that his party would even let loose snakes, which are not poisonous, into the MA Chidambaram stadium if another IPL match was held at the venue in Chennai.
I will let snakes into the stadium: Velmurugan
"If the IPL match is held on April 20 in Chennai as per schedule, I will hold the snake protest. I will let snakes into the stadium. There is no change in it," Velmurugan had said last week.
