TN shutdown: DMK's Stalin, other leaders arrested
DMK leader MK Stalin and other top politicians of Tamil Nadu (TN) were detained today while blocking roads in Chennai. The opposition was protesting the Center's failure to form the Cauvery Management Board, and the ruling AIADMK's failure to pressurize the BJP, its close friend. Congress' Su. Thirunavukarasar and KV Thangkabalu, VCK's Thol Thirumavalavan and DMK's K. Veeramani were also detained.
Visuals from the spot
The decades-old river water sharing dispute at a glance
Since over 120 years, TN, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry have clashed over sharing of the 765-km long Cauvery water. In 2007, the SC awarded TN 419tmcft of water. Karnataka got 270 tmcft, Kerala 30 tmcft and Puducherry 7tmcft. But everyone challenged the decision. In February, the SC ordered Karnataka to release 177.25tmcft of water to TN instead of 192tmcft, thus decreasing allocation for TN.
Why is the Center delaying formation of the board?
After the SC's six-week deadline for implementing the verdict, the Center submitted in an affidavit that doing it ahead of Karnataka state elections would lead to "massive public outrage and vitiate elections." It added that the states involved have expressed contradicting views about the water-sharing "scheme." So to avoid further litigation, it wanted to discuss the scheme with states.
TN's ruling AIADMK has kept up its pressure tactics
Though Karnataka claims the SC has left the contents of the scheme to the Center's discretion, the other states, including TN, have demanded compulsory implementation of the SC's final decision by constituting the Cauvery Management Board. The AIADMK has repeatedly disrupted Parliament during this session, demanding a discussion on the matter. The Center has meanwhile asked the SC for a three-month extension.
Road and rail roko programs disrupt normal life in TN
Normal life was affected in TN due to the opposition's strike. Shops remained shut in Chennai, Erode, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Sivaganga and elsewhere. However, petrol bunks and milk supply weren't affected. Buses and autorickshaws mostly stayed off the roads, but radio taxis and long-distance trains were plying. Roads and railway tracks were blocked in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore.
The dispute has even claimed lives
The issue has even triggered violence. In 2016, after an interim order by the SC, clashes broke out in Bengaluru. At least one person was killed, malls ransacked, buses set ablaze and locals harassed. Violence rocked Karnataka's Mandya, Mysuru and Hassan districts too.
