TN farmers demanding Cauvery water release arrested

Chennai, Aug 30 (IANS) Thousands of farmers across Tamil Nadu were arrested on Tuesday as they agitated demanding release of Cauvery river water by Karnataka for their crops, said police.

The protest was very strong in Thanjavur, Trichy, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, and various political parties extended their support to it.

Shops and other commercial establishments were shut in these areas as a support to the protest.

Road traffic on many highways was affected due to the agitation as the protestors blocked roads. They also extended the blockade to rail tracks.

The farmers demanded that the central and the state governments take necessary steps to get the water released by Karnataka.