Nagapattinam, 30 May

Tamil Nadu farmers protested the proposed Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir act in on the Nagapattinam-Chidambaram Road, causing a brief traffic disruption on Saturday.

The protests come in response to Karnataka’s Irrigation Minister and upcoming Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's remarks that Tamil Nadu “has no right” to object to the massive dam on the Cauvery River. Shivakumar said earlier this month that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) had been prepared and would be submitted to the Centre for approval soon.

The protest was organised jointly by the Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association and the Joint Action Committee of Tamil Nadu Farmers' Associations. They urged the TVK government under C Jospeh Vijay as well as the Centre to ensure that the dam was stopped and also demanded the immediate implementation of the farm loan waiver promised by the Tamil Nadu government during the election campaign.

More than 500 farmers from Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Karaikal districts participated in the demonstration, which resulted in minor clashes between police and the protesters. Many were detained.

Meanwhile, a group of farmers from the delta districts embarked on a journey to Mekedatu in Karnataka, where they have planned to lay siege to the site where the Karnataka government plans to build the dam.

Thamizhaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam general secretary PR Pandian lambasted Shivakumar and announced that the farmers would protest on 31 May.

He said the farmers would not allow Shivakumar to build the dam.