Title - CPI rail roko demands release of Cauvery water

A large number of Communist Party of India (CPI) workers were taken into custody when they attempted to block trains in various centres in the delta districts on Tuesday demanding release of water in Cauvery to Tamil Nadu as per the direction of the Supreme Court. They also urged the Central government to intervene and take steps to ensure due share of water for Tamil Nadu.D. Raja, MP and national secretary of the CPI, R. Nallakannu, senior party leader, and D. Pandian, State secretary of the party, P. Lingam, MP, and a few MLAs were among those arrested.The police arrested 498 CPI workers in Thanjavur district when they tried to stop trains at Thanjavur and Kumbakonam stations. Mr. Pandian led the agitation in Thanjavur railway junction. R. Thirugnanam, Thanjavur district secretary of the party, and others attempted to stop the Nagore-Tiruchi passenger train.The agitation at Kumbakonam station was led by C. Mahendran, State assistant secretary of the party.In Tiruvarur, the police arrested a total of 2,304 activists of CPI in various centres. At Tiruvarur railway station, D. Raja led the agitation. P. Lingam, Tenkasi MP, led the agitation in Nidamangalam railway station.In Nagapattinam, Mr. Nallakannu led the party cadre who attempted to block the Ernakulam – Karaikal Express at Nagapattinam railway station. In Mayiladuthurai, CPI cadre led by V. Ponnupandi, MLA, blocked the train, while the agitation in Sirkazhi was led by another MLA, K. Lingamuthu.

In Tiruchi, as many as 135 CPI volunteers, including their Tiruchi district secretary Inderjit and the district secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha Ailai Sivasuriyan, were taken into custody when they tried to block Tiruchi-Cuddalore passenger at the Tiruchi railway junction.