Around three thousand people, including farmers, were arrested when they resorted to rail and road blockades at several places in Thanjavur district urging the Centre to get Cauvery water from Karnataka for samba cultivation and constitute Cauvery Management Board as per the final verdict of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

The agitators, led by Ulaga Thamizhar Peravi president, P. Nedumaran blocked the Vasco-da-gama train at the Thanjavur station. Police personnel resisted the agitators and this led to a scuffle between them, triggering tension in the area. Subsequently, more than 200 people, including 21 women, were arrested. Those arrested included Nedumaran, DMK district secretary and MLA Durai. Chandrasekar.

Another group of persons led by Thirupathi Vandayar, state vice-president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers’ Associations were arrested when they resorted to road blockade in front of the old bus stand in Thanjavur.

According to police, train blockades were held at Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Papanasam and Budalur in the district, while road blockades were held at 25 places in the district. A total of 501 people were arrested in connection with train blockades while 2,430, including 129 women, were arrested in connection with road blockades in the district.
Though the farmers association had called for a one-day bandh, all the shops and business establishments remained open.