Denied Cauvery water, angry delta shuts down

Around one lakh shops and commercial establishments in the delta districts of Tamil Nadu remained closed as part of a total shutdown called by the Cauvery Delta Protection Movement. The protest was against the Karnataka government’s failure to release water for irrigation in the Cauvery river as ordered by the Cauvery Water Management Authority and Supreme Court. Although normal life was not significantly impacted, there were incidents of road blockades and protesters being arrested across the delta districts. Farmers and members of political parties participated in demonstrations and rallies in various cities.