TN bandh on SC's stay on OBC quota cripples normal life

Chennai, Mar 31 (UNI) Normal life in Tamil Nadu was completely crippled as the dawn-to-dusk bandh called by the ruling DMK-led DPA in protest against the Supreme Court stay on Government proposed 27 per cent OBC quota, began at 0600 hrs today.

The bandh was peaceful and total in all parts of the state, official sources said.

Roads wore a deserted look, shopkeepers downed their shutters, schools and colleges, theatres, business, commercial and industrial establishments and banks were closed as the State Government had declared a holiday today under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

Except for one or two petty shops and tea stalls, all major shops, hotels and restaurants were closed in the city.

The busy Pondy Bazaar and Ranganathan Street, the shopping hub of the city, wore a deserted look as all the textile and jewellery shops were closed.

Rail and Air traffic was also affected as the Southern Railway had cancelled and rescheduled several trains due to the bandh. The EMU services on the Chennai Beach-Tambaram section, the Chennai Central-Arakkonam section and the MRTS trains were cancelled during the bandh period.

While the Indian Airlines announced rescheduling of its flights, the other airliners were willing to operate if there was adequate response from the passengers.

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 on March 29.

UNI