Bandh to paralyse normal life in TN

Chennai, Mar 30 (UNI) Normal life is likely to be paralysed in Tamil Nadu tomorrow in view of the dawn-to-dusk bandh called by the ruling DMK-led DPA in protest against the Supreme Court order on 27 per cent OBC quota.

The decision to observe the bandh was taken at a meeting of the DMK-led DPA, chaired by DMK President and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi last night.

All educational institutions, commercial and industrial establishments, state public sector undertakings, state government offices would remain closed as the state government had ordered a holiday tomorrow under the negotiable instruments Act.

Trains would be off the tracks and buses and autos would be off the roads during the bandh from 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs.

The government had also advised airlines and railways to reschedule services to ensure that there was no movement anywhere in the state during the bandh period.

The government also ordered closure of all liquor shops, godowns storing explosive and cinema halls due to the bandh.

However, the state government had exempted essential services like telephone, water supply, milk, power, hospitals and fire services from the bandh.

Police have made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident. Passengers arriving in various Railway stations and bus depots would be safely escorted to their destinations.

All the alliance partners in the DPA and the DMDK of actor-politician Vijaykanth had expressed their support to the bandh, while the main Opposition AIADMK and its ally MDMK took exception to the bandh called by the DPA without consulting the opposition parties.

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