Cauvery water war: Shutdown in Tamil Nadu evokes mixed response

Chennai: The shutdown strike called by various organisations representing farmers, traders, transporters and others began in Tamil Nadu on Friday with mixed results. The general strike called by different organisations demanded Cauvery river water and protested against attacks on Tamils and their property in Karnataka. While public transport, government offices, schools, colleges, banks and others carried on with their routine, majority of shops remained closed across the state. Many private schools also declared holiday. The vegetable wholesale market in Koyambedu here was closed. Cadres of some political parties trying to stop trains in some places were taken into custody by the police. However, essentials like milk delivery by the state government undertaking -Aavin was not affected. Privately owned fuel outlets remained shut but those owned by the oil marketing companies were functioning.