Coimbatore : The agitation for constitution of the Cauvery Management Board had its first victim when an autorickshaw driver, who consumed rat poison two days ago, died at the Salem Government Hospital today.

Prabhu, 40, of Maniyanoor had consumed poison on April 2 during a protest by various political parties organised in Salem, police said. He was undergoing treatment at the Government Hospital and breathed his last this morning, they said.

In his oral confession to the police in the hospital bed, Prabhu claimed he was upset over the Centre not forming the board and supported the agitation by DMK leader M K Stalin.

Besides, he was against the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tamil Nadu, as he `failed to protect the rights of the State’, police said.

Separately, the protest by various political parties entered the fourth day today, and over 300 DMK workers, led by N Karthik, MLA, were arrested. They had attempted to stage a demonstration in front of BSNL office here.

In a novel protest, some 200 workers of DMK youth wing, came with some bulls and squatted on the road, placing rats in their mouth, suggesting that farmers would have to eat rats if the board was not set up.

They also blew conches and beat cymbals, as if performing the last rites of agriculture. All were arrested, police said.

Nearly CPI 50 activists led by former MLA M Arumugham were arrested when they were proceeding to the city railway station to stage a rail roko.