The agitation against Jallikattu in south Indian state, Tamil Nadu, shows no signs of abating with many business establishments, schools and colleges in capital city Chennai declaring they will be shut tomorrow, media outlets reported. Music maestro AR Rahman, who hails from Tamil Nadu, also declared on Twitter that he would fast on Friday to express his solidarity with the pro-Jallikattu protesters.

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I&#39;m fasting tomorrow to support the spirit of 
Tamilnadu!
&mdash; A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) <a href="https://twitter.com/arrahman/status/822044036823326720">January 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Hundred thousands of demonstrators protested across the state on Thursday against the Supreme Court&#39;s earlier order banning Jallikattu. State chief minister O Panneerselvam&#39;s assurances that his government had the support of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his federal government did not seem to cut any ice with them.

The Indian government&#39;s top legal adviser, attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, defended the government&#39;s stand allowing use of bulls in events like Jallikattu in the top court, stating that the federal government had no power to enact a law on the subject.

Rohatgi said the Tamil Nadu government had the power to enact a law on Jallikattu since sports as a subject fell under the exclusive jurisdiction of the state government. He, however, asserted that animals should not be harmed or cruelly treated during such events.

Panneerselvam met PM Modi earlier in the day and pressed him for immediate steps for promulgation of an ordinance. He was told that the matter was sub judice, but the government would support any step taken by the state government, news agency, PTI, reported.

Forty-nine legislators of the AIADMK party that is in power in Tamil Nadu will meet Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh tomorrow, seeking his government&#39;s help to allow Jallikattu, PTI reported.

&quot;We will seek the central government&#39;s help to conduct jallikattu, this is an emotional issue for our people,&quot; an AIADMK leader told PTI.

 
Wave of protests across Tamil Nadu

Businesses, theatres, schools and transporters have declared a day-long strike tomorrow supporting the &nbsp;demand for immediate permission to allow the bull-taming sport.

Five-time World Chess Champion Vishwanathan Anand extended his support to holding the bull taming sport, saying it was a cultural symbol.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jallikattu?src=hash">#jallikattu</a> is a cultural symbol . Respect it. Im all for animal rights but here that is not the point.tradition &amp; livelihood are .
&mdash; Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) <a href="https://twitter.com/vishy64theking/status/821930810509033472">January 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Jallikatu bigger than Holi or Diwali in Tamil Nadu,&quot; Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder Art of Living told WION.

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At the epicentre of the agitation, Chennai&#39;s Marina Beach, protesters staged protests by way of forming human chains, taking out motorcycle rallies, playing folk music, dancing, singing, and holding skits.

They rejected the statements of PM Modi and O Panneerselvam saying these were known excuses and disappointing, PTI reported.

In Madurai, where the sport has been held for centuries, agitators stopped trains pressing for their demand.

Protests continued to be held in other parts of the state as well, including Salem, Coimbatore, Karur, Tiruchirappalli and Erode, and neighbouring union territory, Puducherry.

Protests to continue tomorrow

The Madras High Courts Advocates Association has announced boycott of courts tomorrow.

The Tamil Nadu Traders&#39; Federation and unions of auto-rickshaw and taxis operators and cinema houses have announced a shutdown tomorrow.

Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, M K Stalin, urged the state government to call an all-party meeting immediately and convene a session of the Assembly to take steps to ensure Jallikattu.

Opposition party DMK has also called for rail blockade across the state tomorrow.&nbsp;

Jallikattu is a centuries-old sport that is played among certain land-owning communities of Tamil Nadu, but was banned by India&#39;s highest court last year after animal advocacy group PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) said the sport of bull-taming is cruel as the animals are drugged and are then subdued by young men with their bare hands.

The restriction on playing Jallikattu sparked statewide demonstrations in the run-up to Pongal (January 14), a harvest festival, during which the sport is played.

Top court refuses to hear plea

The Supreme Court has refused to hear a plea which sought that India&#39;s highest court should hear the matter on the Jalikattu row pertaining to public protest at Marina beach. The Supreme Court asked the petitioner to approach the Madras High Court, India&#39;s news agency ANI reported, even as Tamil Nadu chief minister Panneerselvam met PM Modi in Delhi today to push for an ordinance on the bull-taming sport. 
 
Watch:

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(WION with inputs from agencies)

The pro-Jallikattu protesters got a shot in the arm with prominent Tamil personalities supporting them

The agitation against Jallikattu in south Indian state, Tamil Nadu, shows no signs of abating with many business establishments, schools and colleges in capital city Chennai declaring they will be shut tomorrow, media outlets reported. Music maestro AR Rahman, who hails from Tamil Nadu, also declared on Twitter that he would fast on Friday to express his solidarity with the pro-Jallikattu protesters. I'm fasting tomorrow to support the spirit of Tamilnadu! — A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) January 19, 2017 × Hundred thousands of demonstrators protested across the state on Thursday against the Supreme Court's earlier order banning Jallikattu. State chief minister O Panneerselvam's assurances that his government had the support of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his federal government did not seem to cut any ice with them. The Indian government's top legal adviser, attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, defended the government's stand allowing use of bulls in events like Jallikattu in the top court, stating that the federal government had no power to enact a law on the subject. Rohatgi said the Tamil Nadu government had the power to enact a law on Jallikattu since sports as a subject fell under the exclusive jurisdiction of the state government. He, however, asserted that animals should not be harmed or cruelly treated during such events. Panneerselvam met PM Modi earlier in the day and pressed him for immediate steps for promulgation of an ordinance. He was told that the matter was sub judice, but the government would support any step taken by the state government, news agency, PTI, reported. Forty-nine legislators of the AIADMK party that is in power in Tamil Nadu will meet Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh tomorrow, seeking his government's help to allow Jallikattu, PTI reported. "We will seek the central government's help to conduct jallikattu, this is an emotional issue for our people," an AIADMK leader told PTI. Wave of protests across Tamil Nadu Businesses, theatres, schools and transporters have declared a day-long strike tomorrow supporting the demand for immediate permission to allow the bull-taming sport. Five-time World Chess Champion Vishwanathan Anand extended his support to holding the bull taming sport, saying it was a cultural symbol. #jallikattu is a cultural symbol . Respect it. Im all for animal rights but here that is not the point.tradition & livelihood are . — Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) January 19, 2017 × "Jallikatu bigger than Holi or Diwali in Tamil Nadu," Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder Art of Living told WION. At the epicentre of the agitation, Chennai's Marina Beach, protesters staged protests by way of forming human chains, taking out motorcycle rallies, playing folk music, dancing, singing, and holding skits. They rejected the statements of PM Modi and O Panneerselvam saying these were known excuses and disappointing, PTI reported. In Madurai, where the sport has been held for centuries, agitators stopped trains pressing for their demand. Protests continued to be held in other parts of the state as well, including Salem, Coimbatore, Karur, Tiruchirappalli and Erode, and neighbouring union territory, Puducherry. Protests to continue tomorrow The Madras High Courts Advocates Association has announced boycott of courts tomorrow. The Tamil Nadu Traders' Federation and unions of auto-rickshaw and taxis operators and cinema houses have announced a shutdown tomorrow. Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, M K Stalin, urged the state government to call an all-party meeting immediately and convene a session of the Assembly to take steps to ensure Jallikattu. Opposition party DMK has also called for rail blockade across the state tomorrow. Jallikattu is a centuries-old sport that is played among certain land-owning communities of Tamil Nadu, but was banned by India's highest court last year after animal advocacy group PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) said the sport of bull-taming is cruel as the animals are drugged and are then subdued by young men with their bare hands. The restriction on playing Jallikattu sparked statewide demonstrations in the run-up to Pongal (January 14), a harvest festival, during which the sport is played. Top court refuses to hear plea The Supreme Court has refused to hear a plea which sought that India's highest court should hear the matter on the Jalikattu row pertaining to public protest at Marina beach. The Supreme Court asked the petitioner to approach the Madras High Court, India's news agency ANI reported, even as Tamil Nadu chief minister Panneerselvam met PM Modi in Delhi today to push for an ordinance on the bull-taming sport. Watch: (WION with inputs from agencies)

Protests against bull-taming sport paralyse Tamil Nadu; Schools, colleges to shut in Chennai

Speaking exclusively to WION, founder of the Art of Living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said the sentiments of the people should be respected. &ldquo;It is a very important festival for the people of Tamil Nadu. Their side of the story was represented well,&rdquo; said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. 
&nbsp; 
He said Sankranti and Pongal is bigger than Diwali for Tamils and this sentiment has to be respected. &ldquo;Bulls are decorated and well taken care off and if you ban them it is like saying that people should not visit sisters on bhai dooj festival,&rdquo; he said. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar argued that bull sport is not confined to Tamil Nadu only as it is prevalent in other states. 
&nbsp; 
On the question of cruelty against animals he said that specific cases can be looked into but to ban the whole festival is not correct. He insisted that stringent laws and rules should be implemented instead of banning the festival itself. He even argued that if bulls aren&rsquo;t used in the festival then they are sent to the slaughter houses. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;If cruelty against the animals has to be stopped then slaughter houses need to be closed down. Banning them would eventually diminish the stock of the native breed,&rdquo; he said. He argued that in Orissa 15 indigenous breed of bulls have been lost. &ldquo;People suspect it to be a conspiracy against indigenous breeds,&rdquo; he said. 
&nbsp; 
Jallikattu ban has evoked a sharp response in Tamil Nadu and has led to a large protest at the Marina Beach. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also said that he is not against progressive law making but said that ban doesn&rsquo;t make it progressive law making.&rdquo; We are missing the point. We have to look into the process of the festival. It has riled up the whole community and this needs to factored,&rdquo; he said. Though he refrained from commenting on the issue of judicial activism. 
&nbsp; 
Though he admitted that witch hunt against PETA must end and added by saying that the misgivings of the organization must be addressed. On this very issue Tamil Nadu chief minister has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring in the amendment to override the Supreme Court&rsquo;s verdict.

Speaking exclusively to WION, founder of the Art of Living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said the sentiments of the people should be respected

Speaking exclusively to WION, founder of the Art of Living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said the sentiments of the people should be respected. “It is a very important festival for the people of Tamil Nadu. Their side of the story was represented well,” said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. He said Sankranti and Pongal is bigger than Diwali for Tamils and this sentiment has to be respected. “Bulls are decorated and well taken care off and if you ban them it is like saying that people should not visit sisters on bhai dooj festival,” he said. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar argued that bull sport is not confined to Tamil Nadu only as it is prevalent in other states. On the question of cruelty against animals he said that specific cases can be looked into but to ban the whole festival is not correct. He insisted that stringent laws and rules should be implemented instead of banning the festival itself. He even argued that if bulls aren’t used in the festival then they are sent to the slaughter houses. “If cruelty against the animals has to be stopped then slaughter houses need to be closed down. Banning them would eventually diminish the stock of the native breed,” he said. He argued that in Orissa 15 indigenous breed of bulls have been lost. “People suspect it to be a conspiracy against indigenous breeds,” he said. Jallikattu ban has evoked a sharp response in Tamil Nadu and has led to a large protest at the Marina Beach. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also said that he is not against progressive law making but said that ban doesn’t make it progressive law making.” We are missing the point. We have to look into the process of the festival. It has riled up the whole community and this needs to factored,” he said. Though he refrained from commenting on the issue of judicial activism. Though he admitted that witch hunt against PETA must end and added by saying that the misgivings of the organization must be addressed. On this very issue Tamil Nadu chief minister has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring in the amendment to override the Supreme Court’s verdict.

Pongal is bigger than Diwali for Tamils: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam on Wednesday night assured everyone in the state that all possible legal means would be taken to ensure justice in the Jallikattu issue even as he said it should not be construed that the Centre was &quot;ignoring&quot; the state on the matter. Meanwhile, several media reports said that schools and colleges in the state would remain shut.

&quot;We should not construe that the Centre is ignoring Tamil Nadu on this issue,&quot; he said when asked if the Union government was &quot;ignoring&quot; the state on the issue despite repeated pleas for an ordinance.

Panneerselvam was speaking to reporters at the airport prior to his departure to New Delhi, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for an ordinance for the conduct of the bull-taming sport.

&quot;The state&nbsp;government is walking the path of Amma (Jayalalithaa). We will take all legal measures till we get justice in the Jallikattu issue,&quot; he said. He added that he had earlier held talks with protestors who are agitating&nbsp;demanding conduct of Jallikattu and they were &quot;satisfied&quot; with his explanation.

They discussed with him their demands of holding the sport in the state, the chief minister said, adding he would apprise Modi of the &quot;sentiments and aspirations&quot; of people of the state during their meeting.

Meanwhile, a joint meeting of various Tamil outfits has called for a dawn to dusk strike in support of jallikattu in Pondicherry on January 20. A spokesman of the pro-jallikattu outfits comprising of representatives of various Tamil organisations including Tamilar Desiya Iyakkam and Naam Tamizhar katchi told newsmen that the strike&nbsp;is also aimed at&nbsp;demanding ban on&nbsp;PETA.

The outfits have formed an &#39;action committee&#39; which includes various students organisations and non-political units extending support to jallikattu to spearhead various agitations in the Union Territory. Meanwhile, the ruling Congress has announced its support to the dawn to dusk&nbsp;strike&nbsp;called by various Tamil and students outfits in Pondicherry.

Puducherry PCC leader and PWD minister A Namassivayam attacked the NDA government saying the Centre was turning a deaf ear to all the agitations now under way in Tamil Nadu seeking lifting of the ban.

&quot;An abnormal situation is prevailing in Tamil Nadu and the Centre has not taken this into consideration and has failed to bring in an ordinance to lift the ban on the traditional sport of Tamils,&quot; he said and announced support for the strike&nbsp;called by the student outfits.

Secretary of the Puducherry state committee of CPI, I R Viswanathan also announced his party&#39;s support for the&nbsp;strike. He said that the Centre should ban the PETA 
&nbsp;

(WION with PTI inputs)

Congress, CPI and several student outfits have called for a strike to force the government to lift the ban on the bull-taming sport

Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam on Wednesday night assured everyone in the state that all possible legal means would be taken to ensure justice in the Jallikattu issue even as he said it should not be construed that the Centre was "ignoring" the state on the matter. Meanwhile, several media reports said that schools and colleges in the state would remain shut. "We should not construe that the Centre is ignoring Tamil Nadu on this issue," he said when asked if the Union government was "ignoring" the state on the issue despite repeated pleas for an ordinance. Panneerselvam was speaking to reporters at the airport prior to his departure to New Delhi, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for an ordinance for the conduct of the bull-taming sport. "The state government is walking the path of Amma (Jayalalithaa). We will take all legal measures till we get justice in the Jallikattu issue," he said. He added that he had earlier held talks with protestors who are agitating demanding conduct of Jallikattu and they were "satisfied" with his explanation. They discussed with him their demands of holding the sport in the state, the chief minister said, adding he would apprise Modi of the "sentiments and aspirations" of people of the state during their meeting. Meanwhile, a joint meeting of various Tamil outfits has called for a dawn to dusk strike in support of jallikattu in Pondicherry on January 20. A spokesman of the pro-jallikattu outfits comprising of representatives of various Tamil organisations including Tamilar Desiya Iyakkam and Naam Tamizhar katchi told newsmen that the strike is also aimed at demanding ban on PETA. The outfits have formed an 'action committee' which includes various students organisations and non-political units extending support to jallikattu to spearhead various agitations in the Union Territory. Meanwhile, the ruling Congress has announced its support to the dawn to dusk strike called by various Tamil and students outfits in Pondicherry. Puducherry PCC leader and PWD minister A Namassivayam attacked the NDA government saying the Centre was turning a deaf ear to all the agitations now under way in Tamil Nadu seeking lifting of the ban. "An abnormal situation is prevailing in Tamil Nadu and the Centre has not taken this into consideration and has failed to bring in an ordinance to lift the ban on the traditional sport of Tamils," he said and announced support for the strike called by the student outfits. Secretary of the Puducherry state committee of CPI, I R Viswanathan also announced his party's support for the strike. He said that the Centre should ban the PETA (WION with PTI inputs)

Jallikattu protests continue, Tamil Nadu CM to meet PM Modi

Head of India&#39;s southern state of Tamil Nadu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in Delhi today to press for an ordinance on&nbsp;Jallikattu. The chief minister while briefing reporters said the Prime Minister respects the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu.

&quot;I have asked the Prime Minister for an ordinance to be passed on Jallikattu,&quot; he said, adding the central government has assured support to the Tamil Nadu government. The chief minister also said AIADMK leader Sasikala&nbsp;has also written to Prime Minister Modi on the matter.

The Prime Minister&#39;s Office in a statement said while appreciating the cultural significance of Jallikattu, Prime Minister Modi observed that the matter is presently sub-judice in court. Meanwhile, protesters have blocked highways in Chennai, according to media reports.

Jallikattu is a centuries-old sport that is played across Tamil Nadu, but was banned by India&#39;s highest court last year after animal advocacy group PETA said the sport of bull-taming is cruel as the animals are drugged and are then subdued by young men with their bare hands.

The restriction on playing Jallikattu, which is considered to be an intrinsic part of the region&#39;s cultural identity, sparked statewide demonstrations in the run-up to Pongal (January 14), a harvest festival during which the sport is played.

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PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss sitting in support of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jallikattu?src=hash">#Jallikattu</a> outside PM residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, has been detained by Police. <a href="https://t.co/yf3Kio4pDd">pic.twitter.com/yf3Kio4pDd</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/821994952414502912">January 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Supreme Court has refused to hear a plea which sought that India&#39;s highest court should hear the matter on the Jalikattu&nbsp;row pertaining to public protest at Marina beach. The Supreme Court asked the petitioner to approach the Madras High Court, India&#39;s news agency ANI reported, even as Tamil Nadu chief minister Panneerselvam met PM Modi in Delhi today to push for an ordinance on the bull-taming sport.

Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam arrives in PM Modi&#39;s residence at 7, Race Course Road to apprise the Indian prime minister of the &quot;sentiments and aspirations&quot; of the people and push for an ordinance on the bull-taming sport .&nbsp;

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Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge ordinance on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jallikattu?src=hash">#Jallikattu</a>. <a href="https://t.co/KnTgV9YKhR">pic.twitter.com/KnTgV9YKhR</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/821953366188142596">January 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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WION Exclusive: &quot;Jallikatu bigger than Holi or Diwali in Tamil Nadu,&quot; Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder Art of Living.

Jallikatu not a progressive law:&nbsp;Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

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In an exclusive discussion with WION&#39;s Kartikeya Sharma, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar talks about the demonstration at Chennai&#39;s Marina Beach in support of Jallikattu and much more. (WION)
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Police beat&nbsp;protesters in Alanganallur in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu.

People throng&nbsp;Chennai&#39;s Marina beach in support of Jalikattu. (Source: ANI)

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People thronging Chennai&#39;s Marina Beach in support of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jalikattu?src=hash">#Jalikattu</a>, actor Raghava Lawrence also seen in attendance. <a href="https://t.co/9VKbuZiIjn">pic.twitter.com/9VKbuZiIjn</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/821945408230277120">January 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&lt;blockquote class=twitter-tweet data-lang=en&gt;&lt;p lang=en dir=ltr&gt;People thronging Chennai's Marina Beach in support of &lt;a data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jalikattu?src=hash href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jalikattu?src=hash&gt;#Jalikattu&lt;/a&gt;, actor Raghava Lawrence also seen in attendance. &lt;a data-cke-saved-href=https://t.co/9VKbuZiIjn href=https://t.co/9VKbuZiIjn&gt;pic.twitter.com/9VKbuZiIjn&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;? ANI (@ANI_news) &lt;a data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/821945408230277120 href=https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/821945408230277120&gt;January 19, 2017&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;
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Tamils protest outside Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Pro-Jallikattu&nbsp;student protests continue overnight in Marina beach, Chennai.

Schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu to remain shut, according to local media reports.&nbsp;

The statewide protests against the Jallikattu ban have received support from several quarters, including the country&#39;s de facto leading opposition party.

Support pours in from all quarters

Congress leader RS Surjewala said his party &quot;respects&quot; the culture and wants the government to &quot;protect&quot; the rich traditions of the sport.

Renowned musician AR Rahman also backed the protests, tweeting: &quot;I&#39;m fasting tomorrow to support the spirit of Tamilnadu (sic).&quot;

Five-time World Chess Champion Vishwanathan Anand extended his support to holding the bull taming sport, saying it was a cultural symbol. 
 
&quot;#jallikattu is a cultural symbol. Respect it. Im all for animal rights but here that is not the point. tradition &amp; livelihood are (sic),&quot; the chess legend wrote in his official micro-blogging site Twitter.

Movie stars had voiced their support with the agitators on Thursday (January 18).

Popular movie star Vijay sent a video message, condemning the arrests of those detained on Monday night and &quot;bowing down (in respect) to each and every one of them (agitators)&quot; for trying to &quot;protect&quot; Jallikattu, which is &quot;every Tamilian&#39;s identity&quot;. Tamil actor&nbsp;Vishal wrote to PM Narendra Modi, seeking an ordinance facilitating the conduct of jallikattu.

Suriya, another popular cinestar in India&#39;s southern state of Tamil Nadu -- where the protest is being staged, excoriated PETA for its protracted campaign against Jallikattu.

The actors&#39; body, the South Indian Artistes&#39; Association, has announced a hunger strike on January 20.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

India's PM Modi earlier said he was all for overturning the Jallikattu ban but cannot do much as the matter is sub judice

Head of India's southern state of Tamil Nadu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in Delhi today to press for an ordinance on Jallikattu. The chief minister while briefing reporters said the Prime Minister respects the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu. "I have asked the Prime Minister for an ordinance to be passed on Jallikattu," he said, adding the central government has assured support to the Tamil Nadu government. The chief minister also said AIADMK leader Sasikala has also written to Prime Minister Modi on the matter. The Prime Minister's Office in a statement said while appreciating the cultural significance of Jallikattu, Prime Minister Modi observed that the matter is presently sub-judice in court. Meanwhile, protesters have blocked highways in Chennai, according to media reports. Jallikattu is a centuries-old sport that is played across Tamil Nadu, but was banned by India's highest court last year after animal advocacy group PETA said the sport of bull-taming is cruel as the animals are drugged and are then subdued by young men with their bare hands. The restriction on playing Jallikattu, which is considered to be an intrinsic part of the region's cultural identity, sparked statewide demonstrations in the run-up to Pongal (January 14), a harvest festival during which the sport is played. PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss sitting in support of #Jallikattu outside PM residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, has been detained by Police. pic.twitter.com/yf3Kio4pDd — ANI (@ANI_news) January 19, 2017 × The Supreme Court has refused to hear a plea which sought that India's highest court should hear the matter on the Jalikattu row pertaining to public protest at Marina beach. The Supreme Court asked the petitioner to approach the Madras High Court, India's news agency ANI reported, even as Tamil Nadu chief minister Panneerselvam met PM Modi in Delhi today to push for an ordinance on the bull-taming sport. Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam arrives in PM Modi's residence at 7, Race Course Road to apprise the Indian prime minister of the "sentiments and aspirations" of the people and push for an ordinance on the bull-taming sport . Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge ordinance on #Jallikattu. pic.twitter.com/KnTgV9YKhR — ANI (@ANI_news) January 19, 2017 × WION Exclusive: "Jallikatu bigger than Holi or Diwali in Tamil Nadu," Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder Art of Living. Jallikatu not a progressive law: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. In an exclusive discussion with WION's Kartikeya Sharma, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar talks about the demonstration at Chennai's Marina Beach in support of Jallikattu and much more. (WION) × Police beat protesters in Alanganallur in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. People throng Chennai's Marina beach in support of Jalikattu. (Source: ANI) People thronging Chennai's Marina Beach in support of #Jalikattu, actor Raghava Lawrence also seen in attendance. pic.twitter.com/9VKbuZiIjn — ANI (@ANI_news) January 19, 2017 × Tamils protest outside Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Pro-Jallikattu student protests continue overnight in Marina beach, Chennai. Schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu to remain shut, according to local media reports. The statewide protests against the Jallikattu ban have received support from several quarters, including the country's de facto leading opposition party. Support pours in from all quarters Congress leader RS Surjewala said his party "respects" the culture and wants the government to "protect" the rich traditions of the sport. Renowned musician AR Rahman also backed the protests, tweeting: "I'm fasting tomorrow to support the spirit of Tamilnadu (sic)." Five-time World Chess Champion Vishwanathan Anand extended his support to holding the bull taming sport, saying it was a cultural symbol. "#jallikattu is a cultural symbol. Respect it. Im all for animal rights but here that is not the point. tradition & livelihood are (sic)," the chess legend wrote in his official micro-blogging site Twitter. Movie stars had voiced their support with the agitators on Thursday (January 18). Popular movie star Vijay sent a video message, condemning the arrests of those detained on Monday night and "bowing down (in respect) to each and every one of them (agitators)" for trying to "protect" Jallikattu, which is "every Tamilian's identity". Tamil actor Vishal wrote to PM Narendra Modi, seeking an ordinance facilitating the conduct of jallikattu. Suriya, another popular cinestar in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu -- where the protest is being staged, excoriated PETA for its protracted campaign against Jallikattu. The actors' body, the South Indian Artistes' Association, has announced a hunger strike on January 20. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Bull-taming sport ban protests continue as Indian govt faces heat

As pro-Jallikattu protests across India&#39;s southern state of Tamil Nadu continued to gain steam with a group of youngsters continuing their agitation here through the night, the state government on Wednesday held talks with agitators and assured its commitment to hold the bull taming sport in the state. The government also told the youths that it would even approach the President seeking an ordinance on the matter.

The Tamil Nadu government has been urging the Centre repeatedly to issue an ordinance to conduct Jallikattu, the bull-taming festival held during the Tamil harvest festival Pongal in mid-January. More than 200 youth were taken into custody on Monday night after they held protests at Alanganallur village demanding lifting of the ban on Jallikattu.

State fisheries minister D Jayakumar, along with his cabinet colleague K Pandiarajan held talks with representatives of the agitators early morning on Monday to defuse the agitation. The minister said 50 AIADMK Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs will &quot;exert required pressure on the Centre&quot; to conduct Jallikattu in the state. &quot;Not just that, this government will also take steps to meet the President to seek an ordinance,&quot; Jayakumar said.

Responding to the protestors&#39;&nbsp;demands for an assurance from chief minister O Panneerselvam for conducting Jallikattu, school education minister Pandiarajan said the government cannot give any oral assurance and indicated that the chief minister could issue a statement later in the day on the matter.&nbsp;

Chandramohan, one of the representatives who held talks with the ministers on behalf of the protestors, insisted that the chief minister support the bull-taming sport. &quot;The government should understand the sentiments of the people and exert pressure on the Centre. The ministers have assured us that they will find a solution,&quot; he said.

Meanwhile, the protestors at Marina, who converged on Tuesday following an agitation at Alanganallur in Madurai, were unrelenting in their demand to conduct Jallikattu and sat through the night. The agitators claimed that more volunteers had either joined them or were on their way to join the protests. Some reports said over 3,000 people, mostly students had joined the protests demanding permission to host the bull-taming festival in Tamil Nadu.

(PTI)

The state government held talks with agitators and assured its commitment to hold the bull-taming sport in the state

As pro-Jallikattu protests across India's southern state of Tamil Nadu continued to gain steam with a group of youngsters continuing their agitation here through the night, the state government on Wednesday held talks with agitators and assured its commitment to hold the bull taming sport in the state. The government also told the youths that it would even approach the President seeking an ordinance on the matter. The Tamil Nadu government has been urging the Centre repeatedly to issue an ordinance to conduct Jallikattu, the bull-taming festival held during the Tamil harvest festival Pongal in mid-January. More than 200 youth were taken into custody on Monday night after they held protests at Alanganallur village demanding lifting of the ban on Jallikattu. State fisheries minister D Jayakumar, along with his cabinet colleague K Pandiarajan held talks with representatives of the agitators early morning on Monday to defuse the agitation. The minister said 50 AIADMK Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs will "exert required pressure on the Centre" to conduct Jallikattu in the state. "Not just that, this government will also take steps to meet the President to seek an ordinance," Jayakumar said. Responding to the protestors' demands for an assurance from chief minister O Panneerselvam for conducting Jallikattu, school education minister Pandiarajan said the government cannot give any oral assurance and indicated that the chief minister could issue a statement later in the day on the matter. Chandramohan, one of the representatives who held talks with the ministers on behalf of the protestors, insisted that the chief minister support the bull-taming sport. "The government should understand the sentiments of the people and exert pressure on the Centre. The ministers have assured us that they will find a solution," he said. Meanwhile, the protestors at Marina, who converged on Tuesday following an agitation at Alanganallur in Madurai, were unrelenting in their demand to conduct Jallikattu and sat through the night. The agitators claimed that more volunteers had either joined them or were on their way to join the protests. Some reports said over 3,000 people, mostly students had joined the protests demanding permission to host the bull-taming festival in Tamil Nadu. (PTI)

Pro-Jallikattu protests continue in Tamil Nadu, 200 agitators arrested

Late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa&#39;s niece Deepa Jayakumar said on Tuesday that she would join the AIADMK, or float a new party, reported ANI.&nbsp;

Speaking to the media, Deepa Jayakumar said, &quot;I have two options&mdash; to join AIADMK or to float a new party. I will discuss with my supporters before making a decision.&quot;

She also said that she cannot accept anyone else in Jayalalithaa&#39;s erstwhile position.

Jayalalithaa was the erstwhile general secretary of the AIADMK, a position now occupied by Jayalalithaa&#39;s one-time aide and confidant Sasikala Natarajan.&nbsp;

&quot;Sasikala&#39;s family is claiming that Jayalalithaa was working based on their ideas, this is false. There are many rumours being spread just to defame me, and people don&#39;t know the reality,&quot; she added.

Earlier this month, Deepa had hinted at her entry into politics, saying it cannot be stopped.

&quot;My entry into politics cannot be stopped,&quot; she told supporters who had gathered at her Thyagaraya Nagar residence.

Supporters had thronged her residence, urging her to enter politics and carry forward the work of her late aunt Jayalalithaa.

Deepa is the daughter of Jayalalithaa&#39;s only brother late Jayakumar.

She caught the media&#39;s attention recently when she alleged that she was not allowed to meet Jayalalithaa while the late AIADMK supremo was hospitalised for 75 days before she passed away on December 5 last year.&nbsp;

(This report first appeared in DNA)

She also said she cannot accept anyone else in Jayalalithaa's erstwhile position

Late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar said on Tuesday that she would join the AIADMK, or float a new party, reported ANI. Speaking to the media, Deepa Jayakumar said, "I have two options— to join AIADMK or to float a new party. I will discuss with my supporters before making a decision." She also said that she cannot accept anyone else in Jayalalithaa's erstwhile position. Jayalalithaa was the erstwhile general secretary of the AIADMK, a position now occupied by Jayalalithaa's one-time aide and confidant Sasikala Natarajan. "Sasikala's family is claiming that Jayalalithaa was working based on their ideas, this is false. There are many rumours being spread just to defame me, and people don't know the reality," she added. Earlier this month, Deepa had hinted at her entry into politics, saying it cannot be stopped. "My entry into politics cannot be stopped," she told supporters who had gathered at her Thyagaraya Nagar residence. Supporters had thronged her residence, urging her to enter politics and carry forward the work of her late aunt Jayalalithaa. Deepa is the daughter of Jayalalithaa's only brother late Jayakumar. She caught the media's attention recently when she alleged that she was not allowed to meet Jayalalithaa while the late AIADMK supremo was hospitalised for 75 days before she passed away on December 5 last year. (This report first appeared in DNA)

India: Jayalalithaa's niece says she will join AIADMK, or float new party

More than three weeks after the demise of former AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, the Madras High Court on Thursday raised questions over the death of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and asked why her body can&#39;t be exhumed.

&quot;Media has raised a lot of doubts, personally I also have doubts in Jayalalithaa&#39;s death,&quot; said Justice Vaidyanathan who was hearing a petition.

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<h5>A PIL had been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a commission comprising retired Supreme Court judges to look into &#39;questionable incidents&#39; around Jayalalithaa&#39;s death</h5>
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&quot;When she was admitted in hospital, it was said that she was on&nbsp;proper diet. At least after her death now, truth should be revealed,&quot; Vaidyanathan said.

The judge also went on to say that the court could order the exhumation and post-mortem of Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s body, reported The News Minute.

A PIL had been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a commission comprising retired Supreme Court judges to look into &ldquo;questionable incidents&rdquo;, including her sudden hospitalisation, reported recovery, and the cardiac arrest resulting in her death, around Jayalalithaa&#39;s death.

Petitioner PA Joseph, a city resident, listed the sequence of events since Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s admission to Apollo Hospital here on September 22 and claimed that the &ldquo;secrecy&rdquo; preceding her death gave rise to &ldquo;grave doubts&rdquo; in the minds of the people.

The public interest litigation, which listed 12 respondents, including the Apollo Hospitals chairman, is likely to be taken up for hearing by the vacation bench of the court on December 29.

The petitioner pleaded that the commission must peruse all the records, reports and documents that are in possession of the government as well as the hospital and look into &ldquo;several questionable incidents&rdquo;, including her sudden hospitalisation, reported recovery and the subsequent cardiac arrest resulting in her death on December 5.

(This report first appeared in DNA)

'Media has raised a lot of doubts, personally I also have doubts in Jayalalithaa's death,' said Justice Vaidyanathan

More than three weeks after the demise of former AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, the Madras High Court on Thursday raised questions over the death of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and asked why her body can't be exhumed. "Media has raised a lot of doubts, personally I also have doubts in Jayalalithaa's death," said Justice Vaidyanathan who was hearing a petition. A PIL had been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a commission comprising retired Supreme Court judges to look into 'questionable incidents' around Jayalalithaa's death × "When she was admitted in hospital, it was said that she was on proper diet. At least after her death now, truth should be revealed," Vaidyanathan said. The judge also went on to say that the court could order the exhumation and post-mortem of Jayalalithaa’s body, reported The News Minute. A PIL had been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a commission comprising retired Supreme Court judges to look into “questionable incidents”, including her sudden hospitalisation, reported recovery, and the cardiac arrest resulting in her death, around Jayalalithaa's death. Petitioner PA Joseph, a city resident, listed the sequence of events since Jayalalithaa’s admission to Apollo Hospital here on September 22 and claimed that the “secrecy” preceding her death gave rise to “grave doubts” in the minds of the people. The public interest litigation, which listed 12 respondents, including the Apollo Hospitals chairman, is likely to be taken up for hearing by the vacation bench of the court on December 29. The petitioner pleaded that the commission must peruse all the records, reports and documents that are in possession of the government as well as the hospital and look into “several questionable incidents”, including her sudden hospitalisation, reported recovery and the subsequent cardiac arrest resulting in her death on December 5. (This report first appeared in DNA)

Why can't her body be exhumed? Madras HC raises questions over Jayalalithaa's death

The AIADMK, at its general body meeting&nbsp;Thursday, elected Sasikala Natarajan party general secretary.&nbsp;

It also adopted the resolution to work &quot;under the leadership of Sasikala Natarajan&quot;.

Sasikala used to be former party supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa&#39;s aide and confidante.

She held no official position within the party. &nbsp;

The post of general secretary was formerly held by Jayalalithaa.

ANI reported that 14 resolutions were passed at the general body meeting.&nbsp;

They included a resolution demanding Jayalalithaa&#39;s birthday be celebrated as &quot;National Farmers&#39; Day&quot;, and the resolutions that she be conferred with the Magsaysay award and the Nobel peace prize.&nbsp;

(WION)

The post was formerly held by ex-Tamil Nadu chief minister and party supremo Jayalalithaa

The AIADMK, at its general body meeting Thursday, elected Sasikala Natarajan party general secretary. It also adopted the resolution to work "under the leadership of Sasikala Natarajan". Sasikala used to be former party supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's aide and confidante. She held no official position within the party. The post of general secretary was formerly held by Jayalalithaa. ANI reported that 14 resolutions were passed at the general body meeting. They included a resolution demanding Jayalalithaa's birthday be celebrated as "National Farmers' Day", and the resolutions that she be conferred with the Magsaysay award and the Nobel peace prize. (WION)

AIADMK elects Sasikala as party general secretary

More than 10,000 people were rescued and sheltered by the National Disaster Response Force in nearly 300 relief camps after the &quot;very severe&quot;&nbsp;cyclone Vardah, the most intense to have hit Tamil Nadu in two decades, made landfall.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) stated the cyclone over north Tamil Nadu moved further west, south-west during past six hours at a speed of 20 kmph and has weakened into a depression.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneVardah?src=hash">#CycloneVardah</a>&#39;s activity ovr north TN moved further west-southwestwards during past 6 hrs at speed of 20 kmph,weakened into depression-NDMA
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/808530255241543680">December 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The cyclone flattened homes, snapped communication lines and threw rail, road and air traffic into disarray as it crossed the coast near the Tamil Nadu capital&nbsp;and pounded Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram with rain.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QuickFacts?src=hash">#QuickFacts</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cyclonevardah?src=hash">#cyclonevardah</a> 
 
Human loss 10(4 in Chennai, 2 in Kancheepuram, 2 in Tiruvallur, 1 in Villupuram and 1 in Nagapattinam).
&mdash; NDMA India (@ndmaindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndmaindia/status/808388625591320576">December 12, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Ten people died.&nbsp;The Tamil Nadu government announced a solatium of Rs 4 lakh each for their families.

Schools and colleges in Chennai, Kanchipuram &amp; Tiruvallur will remain closed Tuesday.

Flights resumed at Tirupati Airport after it was briefly shut down.&nbsp;

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Flight operations resume at Tirupati Airport after it was temporarily suspended due to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneVardah?src=hash">#CycloneVardah</a> that hit TN &amp; AP yesterday
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/808529535964581888">December 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The National Disaster Management Authority said that a total of 10,432 people were rescued by 19 NDRF teams in different parts of Tamil Nadu.

As many as 296 relief camps were set up of which 97 have become operational, the NDMA said in a statement.

Altogether 11,857 food packets were also distributed by the NDRF. As many as 297 roads were blocked in Tamil Nadu after the cyclone&#39;s landfall of which 89 have been cleared so far.

A total of 4,200 trees fell and 30 electric transformers were also damaged. The NDMA said the cyclone will slow down by midnight and weaken by Tuesday.

&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cyclonevardah?src=hash">#Cyclonevardah</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Quick?src=hash">#Quick</a> Facts 
 
Hut Damages-55. 
 
No of tree fallen- 4200 and 1080 removed. 
 
No of EB Poles fallen-3400.
&mdash; NDMA India (@ndmaindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndmaindia/status/808389012335579140">December 12, 2016</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

However, it asked people in cyclone-hit areas to remain indoors and not to venture out besides remaining calm. One NDRF team comprises of 35 personnel.

The Southern Railway said the cyclone had caused a&nbsp;severe impact to its infrastructure and prompted cancellation, diversion and suspension of rail services.

&quot;The intensity of the cyclone has had a severe impact on the infrastructure of Chennai Division, resulting in considerable damage. Overhead electrical lines have been damaged at several locations,&quot; Anupam Sharma, Divisional Railway Manager, Southern Railway said.

&quot;As a result of disruption of overhead electrical lines, 16 trains have been held up in Jolarpettai Chennai Central section and four trains in Villupuram Chennai Egmore section.

Several Chennai-bound trains have been regulated at various stations of Chennai division, he said.

Although all efforts were being made to restore normalcy as early as possible, full assessment for restoration work was possible only after the cyclone has finally ebbed away, he added.

Urgent steps were being taken to ensure movement of all Mail/Express trains which were held up mid-section. Passengers of all such trains were given maximum facilities so as to obviate the hardships to the extent possible, Sharma said.

Operations at Chennai airport were suspended for the entire night, with nearly 170 services being disrupted through the day even as 10 flights were cancelled.

A total of 44 international and 123 domestic services were affected as they were diverted to nearby airports like Bengaluru even as many stranded passengers were still waiting at domestic and international terminals. Steps were being taken to distribute food to them, they said. Departing flights to cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru were cancelled.

Meanwhile, though no major loss of life or property has been reported from Andhra Pradesh so far, heavy rains lashed Chittoor and SPS Nellore district, affecting normal life. A report from Amravati said as many as 18 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who strayed into the Bay of Bengal yesterday despite warnings, were rescued from near the Sriharikota high altitude range in afternoon.

Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced on Monday that Andhra Pradesh was ready to extend all necessary help to neighbouring Tamil Nadu that bore the brunt of &#39;Vardah&#39;. With the&nbsp;forecast of heavy rains for the next 24 hours in Nellore, Chittoor, Prakasam and Anantapuramu districts, the official machinery has been asked to remain on alert, mostly to prevent breach of tanks. Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal were evacuated to relief camps amid heavy rain.

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to take stock of the situation in the two states and promised all help.

(PTI)

The storm flattened homes, snapped communication lines and threw rail, road and air traffic into disarray

More than 10,000 people were rescued and sheltered by the National Disaster Response Force in nearly 300 relief camps after the "very severe" cyclone Vardah, the most intense to have hit Tamil Nadu in two decades, made landfall. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) stated the cyclone over north Tamil Nadu moved further west, south-west during past six hours at a speed of 20 kmph and has weakened into a depression. #CycloneVardah's activity ovr north TN moved further west-southwestwards during past 6 hrs at speed of 20 kmph,weakened into depression-NDMA — ANI (@ANI_news) December 13, 2016 × The cyclone flattened homes, snapped communication lines and threw rail, road and air traffic into disarray as it crossed the coast near the Tamil Nadu capital and pounded Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram with rain. #QuickFacts #cyclonevardah Human loss 10(4 in Chennai, 2 in Kancheepuram, 2 in Tiruvallur, 1 in Villupuram and 1 in Nagapattinam). — NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 12, 2016 × Ten people died. The Tamil Nadu government announced a solatium of Rs 4 lakh each for their families. Schools and colleges in Chennai, Kanchipuram & Tiruvallur will remain closed Tuesday. Flights resumed at Tirupati Airport after it was briefly shut down. Flight operations resume at Tirupati Airport after it was temporarily suspended due to #CycloneVardah that hit TN & AP yesterday — ANI (@ANI_news) December 13, 2016 × The National Disaster Management Authority said that a total of 10,432 people were rescued by 19 NDRF teams in different parts of Tamil Nadu. As many as 296 relief camps were set up of which 97 have become operational, the NDMA said in a statement. Altogether 11,857 food packets were also distributed by the NDRF. As many as 297 roads were blocked in Tamil Nadu after the cyclone's landfall of which 89 have been cleared so far. A total of 4,200 trees fell and 30 electric transformers were also damaged. The NDMA said the cyclone will slow down by midnight and weaken by Tuesday. #Cyclonevardah #Quick Facts Hut Damages-55. No of tree fallen- 4200 and 1080 removed. No of EB Poles fallen-3400. — NDMA India (@ndmaindia) December 12, 2016 × However, it asked people in cyclone-hit areas to remain indoors and not to venture out besides remaining calm. One NDRF team comprises of 35 personnel. The Southern Railway said the cyclone had caused a severe impact to its infrastructure and prompted cancellation, diversion and suspension of rail services. "The intensity of the cyclone has had a severe impact on the infrastructure of Chennai Division, resulting in considerable damage. Overhead electrical lines have been damaged at several locations," Anupam Sharma, Divisional Railway Manager, Southern Railway said. "As a result of disruption of overhead electrical lines, 16 trains have been held up in Jolarpettai Chennai Central section and four trains in Villupuram Chennai Egmore section. Several Chennai-bound trains have been regulated at various stations of Chennai division, he said. Although all efforts were being made to restore normalcy as early as possible, full assessment for restoration work was possible only after the cyclone has finally ebbed away, he added. Urgent steps were being taken to ensure movement of all Mail/Express trains which were held up mid-section. Passengers of all such trains were given maximum facilities so as to obviate the hardships to the extent possible, Sharma said. Operations at Chennai airport were suspended for the entire night, with nearly 170 services being disrupted through the day even as 10 flights were cancelled. A total of 44 international and 123 domestic services were affected as they were diverted to nearby airports like Bengaluru even as many stranded passengers were still waiting at domestic and international terminals. Steps were being taken to distribute food to them, they said. Departing flights to cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru were cancelled. Meanwhile, though no major loss of life or property has been reported from Andhra Pradesh so far, heavy rains lashed Chittoor and SPS Nellore district, affecting normal life. A report from Amravati said as many as 18 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who strayed into the Bay of Bengal yesterday despite warnings, were rescued from near the Sriharikota high altitude range in afternoon. Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced on Monday that Andhra Pradesh was ready to extend all necessary help to neighbouring Tamil Nadu that bore the brunt of 'Vardah'. With the forecast of heavy rains for the next 24 hours in Nellore, Chittoor, Prakasam and Anantapuramu districts, the official machinery has been asked to remain on alert, mostly to prevent breach of tanks. Over 9,400 people living along the Bay of Bengal were evacuated to relief camps amid heavy rain. Indian home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to take stock of the situation in the two states and promised all help. (PTI)

Cyclone Vardah: Death toll rises to 10, more than 10,000 people rescued

Tamil Nadu state&#39;s ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party claimed Wednesday that 77 people died of grief over the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.&nbsp;

&quot;77 persons have died of grief and shock after having to come to know of honourable Amma&#39;s (Jayalalithaa) illness and death,&quot; the AIADMK said in a statement.&nbsp;

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77 people died of grief, shock over illness and demise of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jayalalithaa?src=hash">#Jayalalithaa</a>, AIADMK announces Rs 3 lakhs compensation for their families: AIADMK
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/806582737402404864">December 7, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The party said compensation of Rs 3 lakh would be given to each to the families.&nbsp;

Compensation of Rs 50,000 will also be given to the party member who tried to burn himself, and to the party member who cut off his finger.&nbsp;

The AIADMK released a list of all 77 people.&nbsp;

The PTI however reported that a &quot;central intelligence estimate&quot; put the death toll at 30, plus four suicide attempts.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

Tamil Nadu's ruling party said Rs 3 lakh will be paid as compensation to each of the families

Tamil Nadu state's ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party claimed Wednesday that 77 people died of grief over the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. "77 persons have died of grief and shock after having to come to know of honourable Amma's (Jayalalithaa) illness and death," the AIADMK said in a statement. 77 people died of grief, shock over illness and demise of #Jayalalithaa, AIADMK announces Rs 3 lakhs compensation for their families: AIADMK — ANI (@ANI_news) December 7, 2016 × The party said compensation of Rs 3 lakh would be given to each to the families. Compensation of Rs 50,000 will also be given to the party member who tried to burn himself, and to the party member who cut off his finger. The AIADMK released a list of all 77 people. The PTI however reported that a "central intelligence estimate" put the death toll at 30, plus four suicide attempts. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India: AIADMK says 77 people died of grief over Jayalalithaa's death

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa&#39;s funeral was held on Tuesday evening at Chennai&#39;s Marina Beach.

The 68-year-old was laid to rest near her mentor and AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran&#39;s memorial.&nbsp;

Her body, dressed in her favourite green sari and draped in the national flag, was kept at the city&#39;s Rajaji Hall throughout the day for people&nbsp;to pay their last respects.

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Tamil Nadu: Tributes being paid to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jayalalithaa?src=hash">#Jayalalithaa</a> at Rajaji Hall in Chennai where her mortal remains have been kept <a href="https://t.co/rQa8Xy1ykw">pic.twitter.com/rQa8Xy1ykw</a>
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&nbsp;

Her last journey started from Rajaji Hall for the Marina Beach on a military vehicle which was surrounded by thousands of wailing supporters.&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam, Jayalalithaa&#39;s close confidante Sasikala Natarajan and others were seated on the military truck that was towing the casket-laden carriage.

After the military honours, her body was transferred to a sandalwood coffin from the glass casket.

Sasikala and&nbsp;the AIADMK supremo&#39;s nephew Deepak performed the last rites at the M G Ramachandran Memorial Site.

They&nbsp;put some sandalwood, flowers and other items on her coffin, before it was lowered into the grave.&nbsp;

Tributes have poured in for the former chief minister. Among them was one from her greatest rival, the DMK&#39;s K Karunanidhi who said her fame would remain forever.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his last respects at Rajaji Hall today afternoon.

The Indian government has declared a day of mourning&nbsp;and ordered all flags to fly at half mast.

The state of Tamil Nadu has declared seven days of mourning&nbsp;and said all schools and colleges will remain closed for three days.&nbsp;

Other states -- Kerala, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Bihar -- have also declared a day of mourning.&nbsp;

Jaya -- who was called Amma or Mother -- was treated like a demigod in her state. Television channels endlessly ran pictures of her ministers prostrating themselves at her feet. &nbsp;

When local television channels incorrectly reported her death on Monday evening, scuffles broke out at Chennai&#39;s Apollo Hospital where Jayalalithaa was admitted at the time.&nbsp;

Jaya died late Monday night. The hospital recorded the time of her death as 11.30 pm.&nbsp;

She had suffered a cardiac arrest the previous evening. &nbsp;

Jaya had been at Apollo Hospital since September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration.&nbsp;

Security was reviewed in the state as soon as news of her cardiac arrest broke, with riot police being put on standby.&nbsp;

(WION)

Thousands of supporters walked alongside Jayalalithaa's funeral procession in Chennai

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's funeral was held on Tuesday evening at Chennai's Marina Beach. The 68-year-old was laid to rest near her mentor and AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran's memorial. Her body, dressed in her favourite green sari and draped in the national flag, was kept at the city's Rajaji Hall throughout the day for people to pay their last respects. Tamil Nadu: Tributes being paid to #Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai where her mortal remains have been kept pic.twitter.com/rQa8Xy1ykw — ANI (@ANI_news) December 6, 2016 × Her last journey started from Rajaji Hall for the Marina Beach on a military vehicle which was surrounded by thousands of wailing supporters. Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam, Jayalalithaa's close confidante Sasikala Natarajan and others were seated on the military truck that was towing the casket-laden carriage. After the military honours, her body was transferred to a sandalwood coffin from the glass casket. Sasikala and the AIADMK supremo's nephew Deepak performed the last rites at the M G Ramachandran Memorial Site. They put some sandalwood, flowers and other items on her coffin, before it was lowered into the grave. Tributes have poured in for the former chief minister. Among them was one from her greatest rival, the DMK's K Karunanidhi who said her fame would remain forever. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his last respects at Rajaji Hall today afternoon. The Indian government has declared a day of mourning and ordered all flags to fly at half mast. The state of Tamil Nadu has declared seven days of mourning and said all schools and colleges will remain closed for three days. Other states -- Kerala, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Bihar -- have also declared a day of mourning. Jaya -- who was called Amma or Mother -- was treated like a demigod in her state. Television channels endlessly ran pictures of her ministers prostrating themselves at her feet. When local television channels incorrectly reported her death on Monday evening, scuffles broke out at Chennai's Apollo Hospital where Jayalalithaa was admitted at the time. Jaya died late Monday night. The hospital recorded the time of her death as 11.30 pm. She had suffered a cardiac arrest the previous evening. Jaya had been at Apollo Hospital since September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. Security was reviewed in the state as soon as news of her cardiac arrest broke, with riot police being put on standby. (WION)

Jayalalithaa's final journey: Amma laid to rest with full state honours

Indian politician Jayalalithaa Jayaram has passed away following a cardiac arrest, Apollo Hospital announced on Monday night. According to a press release from &nbsp;the hospital, the time of her death was recorded at 11.30 pm local time.

Jayalalithaa, who was the chief minister of India&#39;s southern state of Tamil Nadu, had been hospitalised for over two months.

She had complained of dehydration and fever on September 22 and was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu state.&nbsp;

Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, hours after her party members said her health had become better and was currently undergoing physiotherapy.

Apollo Hospital in Chennai issued a statement later, saying the 68-year-old satrap was being monitored by a team of experts including cardiologists, pulmonologist and critical care specialists.

On Monday afternoon, a hospital spokesperson said Jayalalithaa remained &quot;very critical&quot; and was on a heart-assist device and other life-support systems.&nbsp;

Thousands of her well-wishers gathered outside the hospital after news broke out about her cardiac arrest. Many of them camped outside the hospital overnight, as did several of her party members.&nbsp;

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Chennai: AIADMK workers mourn the passing away of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jayalalithaa?src=hash">#jayalalithaa</a> <a href="https://t.co/7NgFvVvTby">pic.twitter.com/7NgFvVvTby</a>
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In a late night oath taking ceremony at around 1.30 am local time, a new cabinet took pledge with O&nbsp;Panneerselvam being sworn-in as the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

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Senior AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam takes oath as the next CM of Tamil Nadu <a href="https://t.co/8iwCls0pey">pic.twitter.com/8iwCls0pey</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/805862972794900480">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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New Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam keeping a photograph of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jayalalithaa?src=hash">#jayalalithaa</a> in his pocket <a href="https://t.co/pfQoUen4ql">pic.twitter.com/pfQoUen4ql</a>
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The hospital remains cloaked in a thick blanket of security as there are fears about an outbreak of violence in the city.&nbsp;

The state police chief, TK Rajendran, meanwhile has ordered all police personnel to report for duty &quot;until further orders&quot;.&nbsp;

Nine companies of the Central Reserve Police Force have also been put on standby.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who enjoyed a good personal equation with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, expressed deep sadness over her demise and said it has left &quot;a huge void in Indian politics&quot;.

Hailing the AIADMK supremo who passed away at a Chennai hospital tonight, Modi said her connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women and marginalised will always be &quot;a source of inspiration&quot;.

He said he would always cherish the innumerable occasions when &quot;I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaaji. May her soul rest in peace.&quot;

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, &quot;Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics.

&quot;My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief.&quot;

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I will always cherish the innumerable occasions when I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaa ji. May her soul rest in peace.
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/805850049770987520">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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May the Almighty grant them the strength to bear this irreparable loss with courage and fortitude.
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/805849888785305601">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief.
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/805849770543616001">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Jayalalithaa ji&rsquo;s connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women &amp; marginalized will always be a source of inspiration.
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/805849612992925696">December 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Preetha Reddy, owner of Apollo where Jayalalithaa had been admitted said &quot;Devastating loss to the state and the nation. J Jayalalitha was an iconic leader. A humane visionary. A personal friend for years. Will miss her presence immensely.&quot;

A seven-day state mourning starting December 6 has been declared in Tamil Nadu. Schools and colleges in the state will remain shut for three days.&nbsp;

The politico&#39;s mortal remains were taken to her home in Poes Garden, with supporters and party workers chasing the ambulance and trying to touch it. A scuffle broke out between the police and party workers. Many tried to break the barricades and the police resorted to a baton charge.

Evening frenzy

On Monday evening, Apollo Hospital had to repudiate rumours of Amma&#39;s death after several news outlets erroneously began flashing news about her demise.

The hospital, in their clarification letter, stated that news of her death were &quot;baseless and false&quot;. They insisted that she remained on life-support system.

Even some prominent Urdu publications in Pakistan reported that the 68-year-old leader had passed away.

Profile

Jayalalithaa, fondly known as &#39;Amma&#39; (mother) by her supporters, is treated like a demi-god in her home state.&nbsp;

Jayalalithaa joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 1982.

Jayalalithaa acted in several movies before joining politics and had a huge fan following.&nbsp;

She wielded national influence, with her party holding the third-largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha (lower house of India&#39;s Parliament).

Her domineering status in the party, often perceived by her critics as a one-woman party, means there is no clear candidate to take over the party reins.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Jayalalithaa, who was the chief minister of India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, had been hospitalised for over two months

Indian politician Jayalalithaa Jayaram has passed away following a cardiac arrest, Apollo Hospital announced on Monday night. According to a press release from the hospital, the time of her death was recorded at 11.30 pm local time. Jayalalithaa, who was the chief minister of India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, had been hospitalised for over two months. She had complained of dehydration and fever on September 22 and was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu state. Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, hours after her party members said her health had become better and was currently undergoing physiotherapy. Apollo Hospital in Chennai issued a statement later, saying the 68-year-old satrap was being monitored by a team of experts including cardiologists, pulmonologist and critical care specialists. On Monday afternoon, a hospital spokesperson said Jayalalithaa remained "very critical" and was on a heart-assist device and other life-support systems. Thousands of her well-wishers gathered outside the hospital after news broke out about her cardiac arrest. Many of them camped outside the hospital overnight, as did several of her party members. Chennai: AIADMK workers mourn the passing away of #jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/7NgFvVvTby — ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016 × In a late night oath taking ceremony at around 1.30 am local time, a new cabinet took pledge with O Panneerselvam being sworn-in as the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Senior AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam takes oath as the next CM of Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/8iwCls0pey — ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016 × New Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam keeping a photograph of #jayalalithaa in his pocket pic.twitter.com/pfQoUen4ql — ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016 × The hospital remains cloaked in a thick blanket of security as there are fears about an outbreak of violence in the city. The state police chief, TK Rajendran, meanwhile has ordered all police personnel to report for duty "until further orders". Nine companies of the Central Reserve Police Force have also been put on standby. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who enjoyed a good personal equation with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, expressed deep sadness over her demise and said it has left "a huge void in Indian politics". Hailing the AIADMK supremo who passed away at a Chennai hospital tonight, Modi said her connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women and marginalised will always be "a source of inspiration". He said he would always cherish the innumerable occasions when "I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaaji. May her soul rest in peace." In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, "Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. Her demise has left a huge void in Indian politics. "My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief." I will always cherish the innumerable occasions when I had the opportunity to interact with Jayalalithaa ji. May her soul rest in peace. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016 × May the Almighty grant them the strength to bear this irreparable loss with courage and fortitude. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016 × My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016 × Jayalalithaa ji’s connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women & marginalized will always be a source of inspiration. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2016 × Preetha Reddy, owner of Apollo where Jayalalithaa had been admitted said "Devastating loss to the state and the nation. J Jayalalitha was an iconic leader. A humane visionary. A personal friend for years. Will miss her presence immensely." A seven-day state mourning starting December 6 has been declared in Tamil Nadu. Schools and colleges in the state will remain shut for three days. The politico's mortal remains were taken to her home in Poes Garden, with supporters and party workers chasing the ambulance and trying to touch it. A scuffle broke out between the police and party workers. Many tried to break the barricades and the police resorted to a baton charge. Evening frenzy On Monday evening, Apollo Hospital had to repudiate rumours of Amma's death after several news outlets erroneously began flashing news about her demise. The hospital, in their clarification letter, stated that news of her death were "baseless and false". They insisted that she remained on life-support system. Even some prominent Urdu publications in Pakistan reported that the 68-year-old leader had passed away. Profile Jayalalithaa, fondly known as 'Amma' (mother) by her supporters, is treated like a demi-god in her home state. Jayalalithaa joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in 1982. Jayalalithaa acted in several movies before joining politics and had a huge fan following. She wielded national influence, with her party holding the third-largest number of seats in the Lok Sabha (lower house of India's Parliament). Her domineering status in the party, often perceived by her critics as a one-woman party, means there is no clear candidate to take over the party reins. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Indian politician Jayalalithaa passes away at 68

The chief minister of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa, suffered a cardiac arrest late on Sunday night, sending the capital Chennai in a state of hysteria.

The sentiments of the swelling crowd outside the Apollo hospital, where the leader has&nbsp;been&nbsp;treated for the last 70 days, reflect the power and stature Jayalalithaa has enjoyed in Tamil Nadu for nearly 27 years.

Popularly known as &ldquo;Amma&rdquo; (mother), the leader is considered no less than a &ldquo;demigod&rdquo; by her supporters. The vicinity of her office in the Royapettah area of Chennai is always dotted with vendors selling &ldquo;Amma&rdquo; merchandise. From her posters to stationery items with her pictures, and even photo lockets, they sell it all. Outside her house in the plush Poes Garden, one can always find groups of supporters trying to catch a glimpse of their leader. Her birthdays have been celebrated with King-sized cakes and her many&nbsp;arrests have been followed by days of unrest and violence.

Here&rsquo;s a look at her political career:

In 1982, actress-turned-politician Jayalalithaa joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a party founded by southern Indian cultural and political icon MG Ramachandran&mdash;popularly known as MGR.

Soon after, she was made the party&rsquo;s propaganda secretary in 1983. She also campaigned as a candidate from the Tiruchendur Assembly Constituency.

In 1984, she was elected for the first time as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament.

This was also the year when Jayalalithaa came to the fore during elections to the Lok Sabha (lower house) and the legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu. MGR had fallen ill and was undergoing medical treatment in the United States. In his absence, the alliance of Congress (I) and AIADMK secured a massive victory, marking a turning point in Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s political career.

Two years after MGR&rsquo;s death in 1987 and a split in the AIADMK, Jayalalithaa was elected as a member of Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s legislative assembly in 1989 from the Bodinayakanur constituency.

Jayalalithaa became&nbsp;the first woman leader of the opposition in the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu.

Jayalalithaa got together the warring factions that had split after MGR&rsquo;s death and was unanimously elected the general secretary of the united AIADMK.

That year the Congress (I) and AIADMK alliance swept the Lok Sabha general elections in a historic win.

Jayalalithaa led AIADMK to victory in all the following by-elections from the constituencies of Peranamallur, Madurai East and Marungapuri to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly.

In 1991, Jayalalithaa was sworn-in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, becoming the youngest ever and the second woman chief minister of the state. She remained in power till 1996 with the AIADMK losing assembly elections amid corruption charges.

The disproportionate assets case

Janata Party leader Dr Subramanian Swamy filed a private complaint in 1996 in a court accusing Jayalalithaa of amassing wealth amounting to Rs 66.65 crore, which was disproportionate to her known sources of income during her tenure as chief minister.

Jayalalithaa was arrested on charges of corruption, including amassing disproportionate assets, in December that year.

In 2000, a special court in Chennai convicted Jayalalithaa in the TANSI land deal case. Jaya publication and Sasi enterprises, two companies in which the politico and her close aide Sasikala had holdings, had in 1992 purchased lands of a state government agency.

However, after a landslide win in the 2001 Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections, Jayalalithaa became the chief minister for a second time in May, but could hold the position only till September 2001.

She was removed from the position after the Supreme Court of India quashed her appointment as she was disqualified to contest due to the TANSI case conviction.

She came back to power in 2002 and then in 2011 for a fourth time, the corruption charges plaguing her political career.

Jayalalithaa stepped down again in 2014 when a trial court in Karnataka held her guilty in the now&nbsp;18-year-old Disproportionate Assets case.

The court sentenced her to a four-year jail term with a fine of Rs&nbsp;100 crore, but she challenged the verdict in the Karnataka High Court.

The judgement led to disturbances in parts of Tamil Nadu with supporters vandalising public property.

In May 2015, the Karnataka High Court acquitted Jayalalitha in the Disproportionate Assets case.

She became the chief minister in 2015 and for &nbsp;a record sixth time in 2016.

Despite the several corruption charges against her,&nbsp;supporters hail her for her efforts to set-up for-poor programmes like the Amma canteens, which provide daily meals at subsidised rates across Tamil Nadu.

Since September this year Jayalalithaa has been missing from the political centre-stage, undergoing treatment in Chennai for lung infection.

(WION)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Jayalalithaa is one of the most prominent political figures in India's regional politics

The chief minister of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa, suffered a cardiac arrest late on Sunday night, sending the capital Chennai in a state of hysteria. The sentiments of the swelling crowd outside the Apollo hospital, where the leader has been treated for the last 70 days, reflect the power and stature Jayalalithaa has enjoyed in Tamil Nadu for nearly 27 years. Popularly known as “Amma” (mother), the leader is considered no less than a “demigod” by her supporters. The vicinity of her office in the Royapettah area of Chennai is always dotted with vendors selling “Amma” merchandise. From her posters to stationery items with her pictures, and even photo lockets, they sell it all. Outside her house in the plush Poes Garden, one can always find groups of supporters trying to catch a glimpse of their leader. Her birthdays have been celebrated with King-sized cakes and her many arrests have been followed by days of unrest and violence. Here’s a look at her political career: In 1982, actress-turned-politician Jayalalithaa joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a party founded by southern Indian cultural and political icon MG Ramachandran—popularly known as MGR. Soon after, she was made the party’s propaganda secretary in 1983. She also campaigned as a candidate from the Tiruchendur Assembly Constituency. In 1984, she was elected for the first time as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament. This was also the year when Jayalalithaa came to the fore during elections to the Lok Sabha (lower house) and the legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu. MGR had fallen ill and was undergoing medical treatment in the United States. In his absence, the alliance of Congress (I) and AIADMK secured a massive victory, marking a turning point in Jayalalithaa’s political career. Two years after MGR’s death in 1987 and a split in the AIADMK, Jayalalithaa was elected as a member of Tamil Nadu’s legislative assembly in 1989 from the Bodinayakanur constituency. Jayalalithaa became the first woman leader of the opposition in the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu. Jayalalithaa got together the warring factions that had split after MGR’s death and was unanimously elected the general secretary of the united AIADMK. That year the Congress (I) and AIADMK alliance swept the Lok Sabha general elections in a historic win. Jayalalithaa led AIADMK to victory in all the following by-elections from the constituencies of Peranamallur, Madurai East and Marungapuri to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly. In 1991, Jayalalithaa was sworn-in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, becoming the youngest ever and the second woman chief minister of the state. She remained in power till 1996 with the AIADMK losing assembly elections amid corruption charges. The disproportionate assets case Janata Party leader Dr Subramanian Swamy filed a private complaint in 1996 in a court accusing Jayalalithaa of amassing wealth amounting to Rs 66.65 crore, which was disproportionate to her known sources of income during her tenure as chief minister. Jayalalithaa was arrested on charges of corruption, including amassing disproportionate assets, in December that year. In 2000, a special court in Chennai convicted Jayalalithaa in the TANSI land deal case. Jaya publication and Sasi enterprises, two companies in which the politico and her close aide Sasikala had holdings, had in 1992 purchased lands of a state government agency. However, after a landslide win in the 2001 Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections, Jayalalithaa became the chief minister for a second time in May, but could hold the position only till September 2001. She was removed from the position after the Supreme Court of India quashed her appointment as she was disqualified to contest due to the TANSI case conviction. She came back to power in 2002 and then in 2011 for a fourth time, the corruption charges plaguing her political career. Jayalalithaa stepped down again in 2014 when a trial court in Karnataka held her guilty in the now 18-year-old Disproportionate Assets case. The court sentenced her to a four-year jail term with a fine of Rs 100 crore, but she challenged the verdict in the Karnataka High Court. The judgement led to disturbances in parts of Tamil Nadu with supporters vandalising public property. In May 2015, the Karnataka High Court acquitted Jayalalitha in the Disproportionate Assets case. She became the chief minister in 2015 and for a record sixth time in 2016. Despite the several corruption charges against her, supporters hail her for her efforts to set-up for-poor programmes like the Amma canteens, which provide daily meals at subsidised rates across Tamil Nadu. Since September this year Jayalalithaa has been missing from the political centre-stage, undergoing treatment in Chennai for lung infection. (WION)

India: A look at Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's political career so far

Clad in a black saree, a sombre-looking Sasikala Natarajan, who remained a wall of support for Jayalalithaa through thick and thin, remained beside the casket of the departed leader as people filed past it paying their homage.

Intermittently standing up and touching Jayalalithaa&#39;s face, which was kept in state at Rajaji Hall, Sasikala looked lost even as she acknowledged the condolences of visitors.

Jayalalithaa&#39;s demise is seen as a personal loss for the 59-year-old Sasikala who was probably one of the few occupants of the chief minister&#39;s Veda Nilayam residence at Poes Garden besides assistants and officials.

Ever since Jayalalithaa was hospitalised on September 22, Sasikala remained with her, giving the ailing AIADMK supremo much needed emotional support.

The relationship between the two had kicked up many a storm during Jayalalithaa&#39;s three decades of political career with some blaming her proximity to Sasikala for the AIADMK&#39;s electoral defeats on some occasions.

Both were accused in the infamous disproportionate assets case and were convicted by a trial court in Bengaluru, though the Karnataka High court later reversed the lower court order.

Incidentally, Jayalalithaa had twice fallen out with Sasikala a few years ago for alleged anti-party activities.

She and some of her family members had been expelled from the party and asked to vacate Jayalalithaa&#39;s Poes Garden residence. However, the separation between the two was short-lived as they patched up in no time.

Sasikala then continued to accompany Jayalalithaa at various functions including the latter&#39;s election campaigns in her special vehicle, earning the sobriquet of &#39;Jayalalithaa&#39;s shadow&#39; by detractors.

Sasikala would usually be seen seated in the rear seat of the vehicle, merely watching Jayalaithaa&#39;s electoral addresses, and providing her &#39;akka&#39; (sister) with assistance.

She had come in contact with Jayalalithaa in the 80s as a video company owner, getting the leader&#39;s various events covered.

Hailing from a humble background from Mannargudi in south Tamil Nadu, &#39;Chinnamma&#39; as Sasikala was known in her circles gradually gained acceptance in the Veda Nilayam residence, and even wielded influence in AIADMK at one point of time.&nbsp;

(PTI)

Jayalalithaa's demise is seen as a personal loss for Sasikala, known as 'Jaya's shadow' or her sister 'Chinnamma'

Clad in a black saree, a sombre-looking Sasikala Natarajan, who remained a wall of support for Jayalalithaa through thick and thin, remained beside the casket of the departed leader as people filed past it paying their homage. Intermittently standing up and touching Jayalalithaa's face, which was kept in state at Rajaji Hall, Sasikala looked lost even as she acknowledged the condolences of visitors. Jayalalithaa's demise is seen as a personal loss for the 59-year-old Sasikala who was probably one of the few occupants of the chief minister's Veda Nilayam residence at Poes Garden besides assistants and officials. Ever since Jayalalithaa was hospitalised on September 22, Sasikala remained with her, giving the ailing AIADMK supremo much needed emotional support. The relationship between the two had kicked up many a storm during Jayalalithaa's three decades of political career with some blaming her proximity to Sasikala for the AIADMK's electoral defeats on some occasions. Both were accused in the infamous disproportionate assets case and were convicted by a trial court in Bengaluru, though the Karnataka High court later reversed the lower court order. Incidentally, Jayalalithaa had twice fallen out with Sasikala a few years ago for alleged anti-party activities. She and some of her family members had been expelled from the party and asked to vacate Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence. However, the separation between the two was short-lived as they patched up in no time. Sasikala then continued to accompany Jayalalithaa at various functions including the latter's election campaigns in her special vehicle, earning the sobriquet of 'Jayalalithaa's shadow' by detractors. Sasikala would usually be seen seated in the rear seat of the vehicle, merely watching Jayalaithaa's electoral addresses, and providing her 'akka' (sister) with assistance. She had come in contact with Jayalalithaa in the 80s as a video company owner, getting the leader's various events covered. Hailing from a humble background from Mannargudi in south Tamil Nadu, 'Chinnamma' as Sasikala was known in her circles gradually gained acceptance in the Veda Nilayam residence, and even wielded influence in AIADMK at one point of time. (PTI)

Sasikala stands beside Jayalalithaa's casket

India&#39;s interior minister Kiren Rijiju today said the southern state of Tamil Nadu may require extra security forces to handle law and order in case of chief minister J Jayalalithaa&#39;s demise. Rijiju said the central government is&nbsp;ready to put on standby&nbsp;forces to manage the situation &quot;whenever&quot; they are required.

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa&#39;s health continues to be critical.&nbsp;

Rijiju said the central government cannot intervene in a state government matter, but was willing to send extra forces to Tamil Nadu if it asked&nbsp;for it.

&quot;They haven&#39;t asked formally,&quot; Rijiju said, adding that the state has a significant number of central forces.

&quot;If there is a law and order situation, the central government is always willing to send extra forces. It is our primary duty to ensure that the state is being helped in whatever possible way they require.

&quot;Because of the prevailing health condition of the chief minister (Jayalalithaa), they may require extra forces, which the home (interior) ministry will be ready to be put on standby, whenever, and whatever they require,&quot; the minister said.

Indian minister for information and broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu said he spoke to Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and chief secretary and enquired about Jayalalithaa&#39;s health.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

Minister Kiren Rijiju said while the central government cannot intervene in state matters, all help will be extended

India's interior minister Kiren Rijiju today said the southern state of Tamil Nadu may require extra security forces to handle law and order in case of chief minister J Jayalalithaa's demise. Rijiju said the central government is ready to put on standby forces to manage the situation "whenever" they are required. Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's health continues to be critical. Rijiju said the central government cannot intervene in a state government matter, but was willing to send extra forces to Tamil Nadu if it asked for it. "They haven't asked formally," Rijiju said, adding that the state has a significant number of central forces. "If there is a law and order situation, the central government is always willing to send extra forces. It is our primary duty to ensure that the state is being helped in whatever possible way they require. "Because of the prevailing health condition of the chief minister (Jayalalithaa), they may require extra forces, which the home (interior) ministry will be ready to be put on standby, whenever, and whatever they require," the minister said. Indian minister for information and broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu said he spoke to Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and chief secretary and enquired about Jayalalithaa's health. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Will send more security forces if needed, Indian interior minister tells southern state Tamil Nadu

India&#39;s Meteorological Department on Thursday said that the Cyclone Nada is expected to weaken in the next 12 hours in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.

The state was again put on alert almost a year after floods caused severe disruption of normal life and damaged property. As per the latest information, the cyclone is presently about 210 kilometres southeast of Puducherry.

It is likely to cross between Vedharanyam and Cuddalore by December 2 morning.

The cyclone will be accompanied by light to moderate rainfall at many places and heavy and very heavy rainfall in coastal areas as speculated by the Tamil Nadu government.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed six teams in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.However, keeping in view the weakening of the cyclone, chances of flooding are receding.

(ANI)

Tamil Nadu was put on alert almost a year after floods caused severe disruption of normal life and damaged property.

India's Meteorological Department on Thursday said that the Cyclone Nada is expected to weaken in the next 12 hours in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. The state was again put on alert almost a year after floods caused severe disruption of normal life and damaged property. As per the latest information, the cyclone is presently about 210 kilometres southeast of Puducherry. It is likely to cross between Vedharanyam and Cuddalore by December 2 morning. The cyclone will be accompanied by light to moderate rainfall at many places and heavy and very heavy rainfall in coastal areas as speculated by the Tamil Nadu government. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed six teams in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.However, keeping in view the weakening of the cyclone, chances of flooding are receding. (ANI)

India: Cyclone NADA expected to weaken in next 12 hours

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India&#39;s southern Tamil Nadu state&#39;s High Court ordered the parent body of India&#39;s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday&nbsp;to wear &quot;full pants&quot; during processions.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The court, however, allowed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to carry out &quot;route marches&quot;&nbsp;at 14 areas in the state, from November onwards, the Press Trust of India reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

According to the court&#39;s verdict,&nbsp;RSS cadres cannot raise slogans which may hurt the&nbsp;sentiments of others or&nbsp;carry out unlawful activities. The court has told the police they can impose other laws as required.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The cadres must maintain &quot;dress code&quot;&nbsp;(full pant) during processions, according to the court&#39;s verdict. Presently, RSS cadres&#39;&nbsp;uniform includes Khaki shorts and white shirt.&nbsp;

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The RSS had appealed to the Court to conduct &quot;route marches&quot;&nbsp;October 9 to mark the 1000th birth anniversary of philosopher Ramanuja, after police had denied permission.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The police had refused permission because civic polls will be held on October 17 and 19 and a Hindu Munnani leader had been murdered in Coimbatore on September 22, so the situation was tense.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;The law enforcement machinery is completely overstretched to contain the volatile communal unrest in addition to maintaining public order in view of local body elections,&quot; the counter affidavit by the police said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The court has allowed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to carry out 'route marches' in 14 areas in southern Tamil Nadu state

India's southern Tamil Nadu state's High Court ordered the parent body of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday to wear "full pants" during processions. The court, however, allowed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to carry out "route marches" at 14 areas in the state, from November onwards, the Press Trust of India reported. According to the court's verdict, RSS cadres cannot raise slogans which may hurt the sentiments of others or carry out unlawful activities. The court has told the police they can impose other laws as required. The cadres must maintain "dress code" (full pant) during processions, according to the court's verdict. Presently, RSS cadres' uniform includes Khaki shorts and white shirt. The RSS had appealed to the Court to conduct "route marches" October 9 to mark the 1000th birth anniversary of philosopher Ramanuja, after police had denied permission. The police had refused permission because civic polls will be held on October 17 and 19 and a Hindu Munnani leader had been murdered in Coimbatore on September 22, so the situation was tense. "The law enforcement machinery is completely overstretched to contain the volatile communal unrest in addition to maintaining public order in view of local body elections," the counter affidavit by the police said. (WION with inputs from PTI)

No walking in Khaki shorts: Madras High Court asks RSS men to wear trousers

The southern Indian state of Karnataka tonight decided to convene a legislature session on October 3 to take a call on the directive of the Indian Supreme Court&#39;s order regarding releasing of the Cauvery waters.

The top court had ordered Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water to the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu every day from October 1 to 6. The court had also ordered the formation of the Cauvery Water Management Board by October 4. Karnataka has questioned the board&#39;s authority and decided to file a review petition in this regard on Monday.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah told reporters on Saturday that an all-party meeting &quot;has told us not to release the water. We have to go back to the legislature.&quot;

He also said that the state would question the formation of the water management board.

&quot;We have not defied the orders of the Supreme Court... There is no wilful disobedience or deliberate disobedience,&quot; Siddaramaiah was reported as saying by PTI.

He said that procedures under the Inter-State Water Dispute Act, 1956 had to be followed and the issue has to be placed before Parliament.

&quot;We should not obey the Supreme Court order at any cost as it is unimplementable. The House (legislature) decision should be upheld. The government should stick to the decision,&quot; opposition leader in the state assembly Jagadish Shettar was reported as saying.

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda today began an &quot;indefinite&quot; fast seeking &quot;justice&quot; for Karnataka but called it off towards the end of the day after union ministers Ananth Kumar and D V Sadananda Gowda and opposition BJP leader in the assembly Jagadish Shettar made an appeal to him.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The state has questioned the constitution of the Cauvery Water Management Board and decided to file a review petition

The southern Indian state of Karnataka tonight decided to convene a legislature session on October 3 to take a call on the directive of the Indian Supreme Court's order regarding releasing of the Cauvery waters. The top court had ordered Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water to the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu every day from October 1 to 6. The court had also ordered the formation of the Cauvery Water Management Board by October 4. Karnataka has questioned the board's authority and decided to file a review petition in this regard on Monday. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah told reporters on Saturday that an all-party meeting "has told us not to release the water. We have to go back to the legislature." He also said that the state would question the formation of the water management board. "We have not defied the orders of the Supreme Court... There is no wilful disobedience or deliberate disobedience," Siddaramaiah was reported as saying by PTI. He said that procedures under the Inter-State Water Dispute Act, 1956 had to be followed and the issue has to be placed before Parliament. "We should not obey the Supreme Court order at any cost as it is unimplementable. The House (legislature) decision should be upheld. The government should stick to the decision," opposition leader in the state assembly Jagadish Shettar was reported as saying. Meanwhile, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda today began an "indefinite" fast seeking "justice" for Karnataka but called it off towards the end of the day after union ministers Ananth Kumar and D V Sadananda Gowda and opposition BJP leader in the assembly Jagadish Shettar made an appeal to him. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Cauvery dispute: Karnataka calls legislature session to decide on Indian Supreme Court's order

India&rsquo;s Supreme Court (SC) today asked the southern state of Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water daily to its neighbouring state from October 1 to 6.

The apex court pulled up Karnataka for defying its earlier orders regarding sharing of Cauvery waters, which have been the reason behind the decades-old fight between the two south Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The court also on Friday asked the Centre to set up the Cauvery Management Board by October 4 and submit a report about the ground realities next week.

The Karnataka government had on Wednesday deferred the court&rsquo;s order to share Cauvery waters stating that it wasn&rsquo;t in a position to release water.

A meeting of the chief ministers of the two states with Union water resources minister Uma Bharti in New Delhi on Thursday, as directed by the court, was inconclusive, with Bharti threatening to go on a hunger strike if the issue is not amicably resolved by the two states.

The Supreme Court said that Karnataka cannot disobey its orders, considering Article 144 of the Indian Constitution which mandates everyone to obey SC orders. The state will have to face &quot;the wrath of law&quot; otherwise, the court said.

&ldquo;It is not defying the order. The National Water Policy says the first priority should be given to drinking water and then to irrigation and other purposes. This is what we are demanding,&quot; Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had earlier said.

Eminent lawyer Fali S Nariman today withdrew as the state counsel&nbsp;citing its refusal to comply with the court order.

(WION)

The Supreme Court also asked the India federal government to set up the Cauvery Management Board by October 4

India’s Supreme Court (SC) today asked the southern state of Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water daily to its neighbouring state from October 1 to 6. The apex court pulled up Karnataka for defying its earlier orders regarding sharing of Cauvery waters, which have been the reason behind the decades-old fight between the two south Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The court also on Friday asked the Centre to set up the Cauvery Management Board by October 4 and submit a report about the ground realities next week. The Karnataka government had on Wednesday deferred the court’s order to share Cauvery waters stating that it wasn’t in a position to release water. A meeting of the chief ministers of the two states with Union water resources minister Uma Bharti in New Delhi on Thursday, as directed by the court, was inconclusive, with Bharti threatening to go on a hunger strike if the issue is not amicably resolved by the two states. The Supreme Court said that Karnataka cannot disobey its orders, considering Article 144 of the Indian Constitution which mandates everyone to obey SC orders. The state will have to face "the wrath of law" otherwise, the court said. “It is not defying the order. The National Water Policy says the first priority should be given to drinking water and then to irrigation and other purposes. This is what we are demanding," Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had earlier said. Eminent lawyer Fali S Nariman today withdrew as the state counsel citing its refusal to comply with the court order. (WION)

Cauvery dispute: India's top court tells Karnataka to release river water from October 1 to 6

India&rsquo;s Supreme Court today directed the state of Karnataka to immediately release water from the Cauvery river to its neighbour Tamil Nadu.

The dispute over Cauvery waters has led to violence in both the southern Indian states in recent days.

The country&rsquo;s apex court has now given the federal government time up to Friday to get chief ministers of both the states to sit together and discuss the issue.

Karnataka had yesterday said it could not release 6,000 cusecs of water daily for a week, an order that was given by the Supreme Court&nbsp;on September 21. It argued that they could only release that quantum of water in December.

However, Supreme Court judges have today asked Karnataka to release the water today and tomorrow, while further arguments are heard by the court.

Distribution of Cauvery water&nbsp;has been a point of contention between the two states for over a century.

The latest bout of violence was triggered by a Supreme Court order on September 5, which had directed Karnataka to release more water to Tamil Nadu for 10 days in order to help its farmers.

While Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had agreed to it, the state degenerated into a crucible of ugly passions. Two people have died in the clashes and hundreds of protesters have been arrested for arson and vandalism.

The Cauvery originates in Karnataka and flows into Tamil Nadu before meeting the Bay of Bengal.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/">(WION)</a>

The court has also directed the Centre to hold a meeting with the chief ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu by Friday

India’s Supreme Court today directed the state of Karnataka to immediately release water from the Cauvery river to its neighbour Tamil Nadu. The dispute over Cauvery waters has led to violence in both the southern Indian states in recent days. The country’s apex court has now given the federal government time up to Friday to get chief ministers of both the states to sit together and discuss the issue. Karnataka had yesterday said it could not release 6,000 cusecs of water daily for a week, an order that was given by the Supreme Court on September 21. It argued that they could only release that quantum of water in December. However, Supreme Court judges have today asked Karnataka to release the water today and tomorrow, while further arguments are heard by the court. Distribution of Cauvery water has been a point of contention between the two states for over a century. The latest bout of violence was triggered by a Supreme Court order on September 5, which had directed Karnataka to release more water to Tamil Nadu for 10 days in order to help its farmers. While Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had agreed to it, the state degenerated into a crucible of ugly passions. Two people have died in the clashes and hundreds of protesters have been arrested for arson and vandalism. The Cauvery originates in Karnataka and flows into Tamil Nadu before meeting the Bay of Bengal. (WION)

Cauvery dispute: India's top court asks Karnataka to release water for two days

Karnataka will have to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu from tomorrow till September 27, India&#39;s Supreme&nbsp;Court said today while raising the quantum fixed by the Supervisory&nbsp; 
Committee by 3,000 cusecs. 
 
A bench of justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit also directed the Centre to&nbsp;constitute within four weeks the Cauvery Water Management Board (CWMB) as&nbsp;directed by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in its award. 
 
It also directed the Centre to produce the&nbsp;notification indicating that CWMB has been constituted. 
 
&quot;How long will the two states keep fighting? This dispute is on from 1894.&nbsp;Cauvery Water Management Board (CWMB) is an expert body and it needs to be&nbsp;constituted. Just because the problem had not arisen earlier doesn&#39;t mean that&nbsp;the problem will never arise in future,&quot; the bench told ASG Pinky Anand,&nbsp;appearing for Centre. 
 
Political parties in Tamil Nadu welcomed the order directing the central government to set up the Cauvery&nbsp;Management Board (CMB) in four weeks&#39; time. 
 
The apex court took note of the fact that no consensus was reached among the&nbsp;states before the Supervisory Committee and Union Water Resources Secretary&nbsp;and Chairman of the Committee Shashi Shekhar used his power to ask Karnataka&nbsp;to release 3000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu. 
 
Senior advocate F S Nariman, appearing for Karnataka, opposed the supervisory committee order and said the state was aggrieved by the order.&nbsp;&quot;We cannot give water to Tamil Nadu from our drinking water supply,&quot; Nariman&nbsp;said while opposing any interim arrangement for release of Cauvery water. 
 
Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu, also opposed the&nbsp;directions, saying the supervisory committee has not considered all aspects&nbsp;while passing the order. 
 
He said the committee had failed to consider the fact that it was a rain deficient&nbsp;year and the quantum of water to be released has to be done proportionally. 
 
&quot;We need water here and now otherwise our Samba crops which are planted in&nbsp;August-September and harvested in December will be destroyed,&quot; Naphade said. 
 
(Agencies)

The bench of justices also directed the Centre to?constitute within four weeks the Cauvery Water Management Board

Karnataka will have to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu from tomorrow till September 27, India's Supreme Court said today while raising the quantum fixed by the Supervisory Committee by 3,000 cusecs. A bench of justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit also directed the Centre to constitute within four weeks the Cauvery Water Management Board (CWMB) as directed by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in its award. It also directed the Centre to produce the notification indicating that CWMB has been constituted. "How long will the two states keep fighting? This dispute is on from 1894. Cauvery Water Management Board (CWMB) is an expert body and it needs to be constituted. Just because the problem had not arisen earlier doesn't mean that the problem will never arise in future," the bench told ASG Pinky Anand, appearing for Centre. Political parties in Tamil Nadu welcomed the order directing the central government to set up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) in four weeks' time. The apex court took note of the fact that no consensus was reached among the states before the Supervisory Committee and Union Water Resources Secretary and Chairman of the Committee Shashi Shekhar used his power to ask Karnataka to release 3000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu. Senior advocate F S Nariman, appearing for Karnataka, opposed the supervisory committee order and said the state was aggrieved by the order. "We cannot give water to Tamil Nadu from our drinking water supply," Nariman said while opposing any interim arrangement for release of Cauvery water. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu, also opposed the directions, saying the supervisory committee has not considered all aspects while passing the order. He said the committee had failed to consider the fact that it was a rain deficient year and the quantum of water to be released has to be done proportionally. "We need water here and now otherwise our Samba crops which are planted in August-September and harvested in December will be destroyed," Naphade said. (Agencies)

India's Supreme Court asks Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs per day to Tamil Nadu till Sept 27

The southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is observing a day-long shutdown over Cauvery dispute days after country&#39;s tech hub, Bengaluru, boiled over the water row and witnessed one killing during police firing. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
The bandh is being supported by farmers&#39; body, Tamil Nadu All Farmers&#39; Federations and a traders&#39; collective, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu, along with opposition parties: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TMCC), MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi), CPI(M), and CPI, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp; 
 
According to media reports, top opposition leaders, MK Stalin and Kanimozhi of the DMK, and MDMK chief Vaiko were detained today.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNaduBandh?src=hash">#TamilNaduBandh</a> MDMK Chief Vaiko detained in Tiruchirappalli during protest over <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CauveryIssue?src=hash">#CauveryIssue</a> <a href="https://t.co/OzxIAksftw">pic.twitter.com/OzxIAksftw</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/776655829080485888">September 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
DMK &amp; VCK party workers&#39; &#39;Rail Roko&#39; protest against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CauveryIssue?src=hash">#CauveryIssue</a> in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. <a href="https://t.co/yXz4F3tIA4">pic.twitter.com/yXz4F3tIA4</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/776664394386202624">September 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
Thousands of police personnel have been deployed to curb violence as calls for &quot;rail and road roko&quot; (halt the rail and road services) were made.&nbsp; 
 
Police said peace will not be disrupted and any attempt to curb rail or road movement will not be allowed. 
&nbsp; 
State-run buses besides, trains are operational but auto rickshaws, taxis and commercial freight operators remained off the roads. Local stores also remained shut, according to authorities.&nbsp; 
 
The aim of the protest is to get a final solution to the Cauvery dispute. Violence erupted in Karnataka after the Supreme Court ordered the state to release 12,000 cusecs of water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. 
 
According to protesters, Tamils residing in Karnataka were targeted, while Tamil Nadu registered cars were set ablaze. 
 
It&#39;s also pertinent to mention that in Tamil Nadu, a 24-year-old man immolated himself at a rally for &#39;retrieving Tamil Nadu&#39;s rights in Cauvery,&#39; and received 93 per cent burns with slim chances of survival. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
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The dawn-to-dusk shutdown has been supported by farmers, traders' collective as well as opposition parties

The southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is observing a day-long shutdown over Cauvery dispute days after country's tech hub, Bengaluru, boiled over the water row and witnessed one killing during police firing. The bandh is being supported by farmers' body, Tamil Nadu All Farmers' Federations and a traders' collective, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu, along with opposition parties: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TMCC), MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi), CPI(M), and CPI, Indian news agency PTI reported. According to media reports, top opposition leaders, MK Stalin and Kanimozhi of the DMK, and MDMK chief Vaiko were detained today. #TamilNaduBandh MDMK Chief Vaiko detained in Tiruchirappalli during protest over #CauveryIssue pic.twitter.com/OzxIAksftw — ANI (@ANI_news) September 16, 2016 DMK & VCK party workers' 'Rail Roko' protest against #CauveryIssue in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/yXz4F3tIA4 — ANI (@ANI_news) September 16, 2016 Thousands of police personnel have been deployed to curb violence as calls for "rail and road roko" (halt the rail and road services) were made. Police said peace will not be disrupted and any attempt to curb rail or road movement will not be allowed. State-run buses besides, trains are operational but auto rickshaws, taxis and commercial freight operators remained off the roads. Local stores also remained shut, according to authorities. The aim of the protest is to get a final solution to the Cauvery dispute. Violence erupted in Karnataka after the Supreme Court ordered the state to release 12,000 cusecs of water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. According to protesters, Tamils residing in Karnataka were targeted, while Tamil Nadu registered cars were set ablaze. It's also pertinent to mention that in Tamil Nadu, a 24-year-old man immolated himself at a rally for 'retrieving Tamil Nadu's rights in Cauvery,' and received 93 per cent burns with slim chances of survival. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Cauvery water dispute: Daylong shutdown in India's Tamil Nadu, opposition leaders detained

India&#39;s tech hub, Bengaluru, limps back to normalcy following protests against release of Cauvery water to the neighbouring state Tamil Nadu.&nbsp; 
 
The state government in southern Karnataka, that agreed on Tuesday to comply with top court&#39;s decision of releasing &nbsp;12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, earlier warned of dealing with an &#39;iron hand&#39; in case any incidents of violence came to the fore.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah is holding a meeting on law and order situation in the morning today. The government has decided to deploy additional central forces in the city and continue prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) till further orders. 
 
The chief minister has also sought appointment with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his intervention to bail out the state from the present crisis as the storage position in reservoirs is poor, Indian news agency ANI reported.&nbsp; 
 
This week&#39;s disturbances, in which dozens of vehicles were set on fire, have been the most serious in the Bengaluru city that is also hailed as the Silicon Valley of India.&nbsp; 
 
At least one person was killed in clashes between protesters and police on Monday that erupted after the apex court&#39;s order.&nbsp; 
 
This month, businesses in the tech hub, which is also Karnataka&#39;s capital, have faced four days of disruption because of protests about the water dispute and an unrelated trade union-organised strike on September 2.&nbsp; 
 
Trade organisation, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), said it estimated the violence had cost Bengaluru and the wider region up to 250 billion rupees ($3.74 billion) in losses, but it did not give a breakdown of how it came up with that figure, according to Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, the state road transport buses have started operating to all places except Tamil Nadu. Metro rail has also resumed its service in the city since yesterday night. &nbsp; 
 
Some schools in the Bengaluru city remain shut today in order to avoid inconvenience for students, according to media reports. 
 
The Cauvery river has been the source of tension between the two states for more than a century and violence over who gets access to water has flared before. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Violence over the water row had cost Bengaluru and the wider region up to 250 billion rupees ($3.74 billion) in losses, ASSOCHAM reported

India's tech hub, Bengaluru, limps back to normalcy following protests against release of Cauvery water to the neighbouring state Tamil Nadu. The state government in southern Karnataka, that agreed on Tuesday to comply with top court's decision of releasing 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, earlier warned of dealing with an 'iron hand' in case any incidents of violence came to the fore. Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah is holding a meeting on law and order situation in the morning today. The government has decided to deploy additional central forces in the city and continue prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) till further orders. The chief minister has also sought appointment with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his intervention to bail out the state from the present crisis as the storage position in reservoirs is poor, Indian news agency ANI reported. This week's disturbances, in which dozens of vehicles were set on fire, have been the most serious in the Bengaluru city that is also hailed as the Silicon Valley of India. At least one person was killed in clashes between protesters and police on Monday that erupted after the apex court's order. This month, businesses in the tech hub, which is also Karnataka's capital, have faced four days of disruption because of protests about the water dispute and an unrelated trade union-organised strike on September 2. Trade organisation, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), said it estimated the violence had cost Bengaluru and the wider region up to 250 billion rupees ($3.74 billion) in losses, but it did not give a breakdown of how it came up with that figure, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, the state road transport buses have started operating to all places except Tamil Nadu. Metro rail has also resumed its service in the city since yesterday night. Some schools in the Bengaluru city remain shut today in order to avoid inconvenience for students, according to media reports. The Cauvery river has been the source of tension between the two states for more than a century and violence over who gets access to water has flared before. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Cauvery dispute: India's IT capital limps back to normalcy?

India&#39;s tech hub of Bengaluru remains under curfew today, a day after a protester was killed in police firing over southern Karnataka state&#39;s long-running Cauvery water dispute with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.&nbsp; 
 
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that riots over access to river water in Bengaluru, also called as India&#39;s silicon Valley, this week were &quot;distressful&quot; and the dispute must be resolved peacefully. In a series of tweets, he appealed to the people of both the states to maintain calm.&nbsp; 
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Situation that has emerged in Karnataka &amp; Tamil Nadu, as a fallout of issue of distribution of waters of Cauvery River, is distressful: PM
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/775585792345444352">September 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The violence and arson seen in the last two days is only causing loss to the poor, and to our nation&rsquo;s property: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/775586272316366849">September 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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I appeal to the people of the two States, to display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/775586684205432832">September 13, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The city in southern Karnataka remains on boil following top court decision&#39;s calling on state government to divert some of the water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu. It&#39;s pertinent to mention that Bengaluru is home to Indian IT companies as well as offices of international tech giants such as Microsoft and Dell. 
 
&quot;One person died when the police fired to disperse a mob attempting to torch a patrolling police vehicle after ransacking a provisions shop in the city&#39;s north,&quot; T.R. Suresh, deputy commissioner for Bangalore north told AFP. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for Umesh, a petrol pump employee, who died amid outbreak of violence on Monday &nbsp;when angry protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at people.&nbsp; 
 
Prohibitory orders under section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that does not allow gathering of more than four people.&nbsp; 
 
In the wake of protests, Indian government rushed ten units of Rapid Action Forces (RAF) &nbsp;on Monday to contain the situation. Thousands of police and paramilitary officers remain deployed on the largely deserted streets of the southern city.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, at least 200 protesters from Bengaluru have been arrested, officials said, in a bid to quell the violence, which has forced shops, businesses and schools to close. 
 
&quot;We have imposed a curfew for three days from early Tuesday in the city&#39;s northwest, southwest, northeast and central areas to maintain peace and prevent untoward incidents during the festival week,&quot; Bangalore police commissioner N.S Megharikh told reporters, referring to the Muslim holiday of Eid. 
 
The police has appealed the people not to indulge in rumour-mongering and check social media handles for updates.&nbsp; 
 
India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states and the row over the Cauvery river stretches back decades. 
 
 
(WION with inputs agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
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The curfew was imposed after one person was killed on Monday in police firing in southern Bengaluru amid outbreak of violence

India's tech hub of Bengaluru remains under curfew today, a day after a protester was killed in police firing over southern Karnataka state's long-running Cauvery water dispute with neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that riots over access to river water in Bengaluru, also called as India's silicon Valley, this week were "distressful" and the dispute must be resolved peacefully. In a series of tweets, he appealed to the people of both the states to maintain calm. Situation that has emerged in Karnataka & Tamil Nadu, as a fallout of issue of distribution of waters of Cauvery River, is distressful: PM — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2016 The violence and arson seen in the last two days is only causing loss to the poor, and to our nation’s property: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2016 I appeal to the people of the two States, to display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2016 The city in southern Karnataka remains on boil following top court decision's calling on state government to divert some of the water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu. It's pertinent to mention that Bengaluru is home to Indian IT companies as well as offices of international tech giants such as Microsoft and Dell. "One person died when the police fired to disperse a mob attempting to torch a patrolling police vehicle after ransacking a provisions shop in the city's north," T.R. Suresh, deputy commissioner for Bangalore north told AFP. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for Umesh, a petrol pump employee, who died amid outbreak of violence on Monday when angry protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at people. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that does not allow gathering of more than four people. In the wake of protests, Indian government rushed ten units of Rapid Action Forces (RAF) on Monday to contain the situation. Thousands of police and paramilitary officers remain deployed on the largely deserted streets of the southern city. Meanwhile, at least 200 protesters from Bengaluru have been arrested, officials said, in a bid to quell the violence, which has forced shops, businesses and schools to close. "We have imposed a curfew for three days from early Tuesday in the city's northwest, southwest, northeast and central areas to maintain peace and prevent untoward incidents during the festival week," Bangalore police commissioner N.S Megharikh told reporters, referring to the Muslim holiday of Eid. The police has appealed the people not to indulge in rumour-mongering and check social media handles for updates. India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states and the row over the Cauvery river stretches back decades. (WION with inputs agencies)

India's tech hub under curfew over Cauvery water dispute

Karnataka state government decided on Tuesday to comply with the Supreme Court&#39;s modified order to release 12,000 cusecs of water Tamil Nadu state&nbsp;till September 20. 
 
Normalcy seemed to return to the&nbsp;southern&nbsp;Bengaluru in India&#39;s Karnataka, which was on boil yesterday, following top court decision&#39;s calling on state government to divert some of the water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu state. 
 
State chief minister Siddaramaiah in an emergency cabinet meeting decided to adhere to the apex court&#39;s order passed yesterday. 
 
&quot;This order is the most difficult to follow. But when we are functioning within the framework of the Constitution, though it is a difficult order, as a constitutionally formed government it is difficult to violate or reject the Supreme Court order. It will be a violation of the Constitution,&quot; he told reporters. 
 
India&#39;s tech hub of Bengaluru remained under curfew today, while the death toll in the unrest over Cauvery row rose to two. 
 
A 30-year-old man died today of multiple injuries he suffered while escaping police lathi (baton) charge when he jumped in panic from a three-storey building here yesterday, police said. A protester was killed in police firing yesterday over southern Karnataka state&#39;s long-running Cauvery water dispute with neighbouring Tamil Nadu&nbsp; 
 
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that riots over access to river water in Bengaluru, also called as India&#39;s silicon Valley, this week were &quot;distressful&quot; and the dispute must be resolved peacefully. In a series of tweets, he appealed to the people of both the states to maintain calm. 
 
&quot;One person died when the police fired to disperse a mob attempting to torch a patrolling police vehicle after ransacking a provisions shop in the city&#39;s north,&quot; T.R. Suresh, deputy commissioner for Bangalore north told AFP. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for Umesh, a petrol pump employee, who died amid outbreak of violence on Monday &nbsp;when angry protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at people.&nbsp; 
 
Prohibitory orders under section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that does not allow gathering of more than four people.&nbsp; 
 
In the wake of protests, Indian government rushed ten units of Rapid Action Forces (RAF) &nbsp;on Monday to contain the situation. Thousands of police and paramilitary officers remain deployed on the largely deserted streets of the southern city.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, at least 200 protesters from Bengaluru have been arrested, officials said, in a bid to quell the violence, which has forced shops, businesses, and schools to close. 
 
&quot;We have imposed a curfew for three days from early Tuesday in the city&#39;s northwest, southwest, northeast and central areas to maintain peace and prevent untoward incidents during the festival week,&quot; Bangalore police commissioner N.S Megharikh told reporters, referring to the Muslim holiday of Eid. 
 
The police has appealed the people not to indulge in rumour-mongering and check social media handles for updates.&nbsp; 
 
India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states and the row over the Cauvery river stretches back decades. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Curfew continues in India's tech hub of Bengaluru; second death reported during protests over water sharing

Karnataka state government decided on Tuesday to comply with the Supreme Court's modified order to release 12,000 cusecs of water Tamil Nadu state till September 20. Normalcy seemed to return to the southern Bengaluru in India's Karnataka, which was on boil yesterday, following top court decision's calling on state government to divert some of the water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu state. State chief minister Siddaramaiah in an emergency cabinet meeting decided to adhere to the apex court's order passed yesterday. "This order is the most difficult to follow. But when we are functioning within the framework of the Constitution, though it is a difficult order, as a constitutionally formed government it is difficult to violate or reject the Supreme Court order. It will be a violation of the Constitution," he told reporters. India's tech hub of Bengaluru remained under curfew today, while the death toll in the unrest over Cauvery row rose to two. A 30-year-old man died today of multiple injuries he suffered while escaping police lathi (baton) charge when he jumped in panic from a three-storey building here yesterday, police said. A protester was killed in police firing yesterday over southern Karnataka state's long-running Cauvery water dispute with neighbouring Tamil Nadu Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that riots over access to river water in Bengaluru, also called as India's silicon Valley, this week were "distressful" and the dispute must be resolved peacefully. In a series of tweets, he appealed to the people of both the states to maintain calm. "One person died when the police fired to disperse a mob attempting to torch a patrolling police vehicle after ransacking a provisions shop in the city's north," T.R. Suresh, deputy commissioner for Bangalore north told AFP. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for Umesh, a petrol pump employee, who died amid outbreak of violence on Monday when angry protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at people. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that does not allow gathering of more than four people. In the wake of protests, Indian government rushed ten units of Rapid Action Forces (RAF) on Monday to contain the situation. Thousands of police and paramilitary officers remain deployed on the largely deserted streets of the southern city. Meanwhile, at least 200 protesters from Bengaluru have been arrested, officials said, in a bid to quell the violence, which has forced shops, businesses, and schools to close. "We have imposed a curfew for three days from early Tuesday in the city's northwest, southwest, northeast and central areas to maintain peace and prevent untoward incidents during the festival week," Bangalore police commissioner N.S Megharikh told reporters, referring to the Muslim holiday of Eid. The police has appealed the people not to indulge in rumour-mongering and check social media handles for updates. India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states and the row over the Cauvery river stretches back decades. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Cauvery water row: Karnataka decides to obey apex court's order

A mass strike shut down India&#39;s technology capital Bengaluru on Friday, with hundreds of companies forced to remain closed and public transport services cancelled as thousands took to the streets over water shortages. 
 
Schools, shops and some government offices also remained closed and there were few private cars on the usually clogged roads in the sprawling capital of southern Karnataka state, which has seen days of street protests. 
 
The strike was called to protest against a Supreme Court order that Karnataka release thousands of gallons of water from its reservoirs into rivers that supply the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, which has been suffering from a severe shortage. 
 
&quot;The day-long, state-wide shutdown is in protest against the Supreme Court order and to express resentment over the state government releasing the water when we don&#39;t have it for drinking and irrigation,&quot; said Vatal Nagaraj, president of a local federation of civil society groups. 
 
Around 5,000 protesters took to the streets of Bengaluru, some burning tyres and effigies of Tamil Nadu&#39;s chief minister Jayalalitha Jayaram. 
 
Technology outsourcing giants Infosys and Wipro said they had told staff to take the day off and make up the time at the weekend. 
 
The shutdown also left hundreds of rail and air passengers stranded at the city&#39;s railway station and airport, with no buses or taxis to take them. 
 
India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states. 
 
Earlier this year the government was forced to deploy troops to secure a canal supplying water to New Delhi after it was sabotaged by protesters in neighbouring Haryana state, causing days of shortages in the capital. 
 
&quot;We will give our blood but not Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu,&quot; said Bengaluru protester Pravin Shetty, referring to the river that flows through both states. 
 
&quot;How can the state government release our water to grow crops in the neighbouring state when we don&#39;t have enough of it for drinking purposes this year.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

The strike was called to protest against a Supreme Court order that Karnataka release water into rivers that supply neighbouring Tamil Nadu

A mass strike shut down India's technology capital Bengaluru on Friday, with hundreds of companies forced to remain closed and public transport services cancelled as thousands took to the streets over water shortages. Schools, shops and some government offices also remained closed and there were few private cars on the usually clogged roads in the sprawling capital of southern Karnataka state, which has seen days of street protests. The strike was called to protest against a Supreme Court order that Karnataka release thousands of gallons of water from its reservoirs into rivers that supply the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, which has been suffering from a severe shortage. "The day-long, state-wide shutdown is in protest against the Supreme Court order and to express resentment over the state government releasing the water when we don't have it for drinking and irrigation," said Vatal Nagaraj, president of a local federation of civil society groups. Around 5,000 protesters took to the streets of Bengaluru, some burning tyres and effigies of Tamil Nadu's chief minister Jayalalitha Jayaram. Technology outsourcing giants Infosys and Wipro said they had told staff to take the day off and make up the time at the weekend. The shutdown also left hundreds of rail and air passengers stranded at the city's railway station and airport, with no buses or taxis to take them. India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states. Earlier this year the government was forced to deploy troops to secure a canal supplying water to New Delhi after it was sabotaged by protesters in neighbouring Haryana state, causing days of shortages in the capital. "We will give our blood but not Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu," said Bengaluru protester Pravin Shetty, referring to the river that flows through both states. "How can the state government release our water to grow crops in the neighbouring state when we don't have enough of it for drinking purposes this year." (AFP)

Water shortage protest paralyses India's tech hub Bengaluru

Amid growing protests in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, the state government has agreed to release 15,000 cusecs water a day for next 10 days to neighbouring Tamil Nadu state as directed by the country&#39;s top court on Monday.&nbsp; 
 
Karnataka Chief minister Siddaramaiah said that the government has complied with the Supreme Court&#39;s order with a &ldquo;heavy heart&rdquo;, adding that the state will approach the court with a modification petition. The state also intends to approach the Cauvery Supervisory Committee. 
 
&quot;Despite severe hardships faced by the government of Karnataka, the state will release water as directed by the Supreme Court,&quot; he told reporters on Tuesday after nearly a three-hour long all-party meeting convened by him. 
 
Cauvery is an Indian river that flows through south and east of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery water row revolves around Tamil Nadu asking for water to sustain extensive farming and Karnataka wanting to triple its share. 
 
The Supreme Court order was issued in view of the plight of the farmers in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp; 
 
Mounting protests 
 
Several farmers and activists intenstified their agitation in the Cauvery heartland of Mandya &ndash; the centre of Cauvery politics -- and other districts in the basin against the top court&#39;s order.&nbsp; 
 
The chief minister said that the government will do all that it can to provide drinking water to southern Bengaluru city.&nbsp; 
 
Pro-Kannada farmers and activists blocked Bengaluru-Mysuru highway on Tuesday bringing the normal life to a halt. In Mandya, protesters held dharnas (non-violent sit-in protests) at several places. &nbsp; 
 
Hundreds of security personnel, including Central forces, were deployed in the Cauvery belt to maintain law and order as protesters mobbed and ransacked several government offices.&nbsp; 
 
Prohibitory orders were issued at and around the Krishnarajasagar dam across the Cauvery river. Shops, hotels and other commercial establishments remained shut. &nbsp; 
 
In Bengaluru, some theatres stopped screening of Tamil movies as a &quot;precautionary&quot; step. 
 
Karnataka was releasing only 33 TMC (thousand million cubic) of water instead of the prescribed 94 TMC by the Cauvery tribunal order due to &ldquo;severe distress&rdquo;. 
 
Political parties in Tamil Nadu demanded that the Siddaramaiah government comply with the court directive and suggested that the state&#39;s chief minister Jayalalithaa lead an all-party delegation to Delhi to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

Chief minister in the southern Karnataka has agreed to the order despite 'severe hardships', but will approach the court with a petition

Amid growing protests in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, the state government has agreed to release 15,000 cusecs water a day for next 10 days to neighbouring Tamil Nadu state as directed by the country's top court on Monday. Karnataka Chief minister Siddaramaiah said that the government has complied with the Supreme Court's order with a “heavy heart”, adding that the state will approach the court with a modification petition. The state also intends to approach the Cauvery Supervisory Committee. "Despite severe hardships faced by the government of Karnataka, the state will release water as directed by the Supreme Court," he told reporters on Tuesday after nearly a three-hour long all-party meeting convened by him. Cauvery is an Indian river that flows through south and east of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery water row revolves around Tamil Nadu asking for water to sustain extensive farming and Karnataka wanting to triple its share. The Supreme Court order was issued in view of the plight of the farmers in Tamil Nadu. Mounting protests Several farmers and activists intenstified their agitation in the Cauvery heartland of Mandya – the centre of Cauvery politics -- and other districts in the basin against the top court's order. The chief minister said that the government will do all that it can to provide drinking water to southern Bengaluru city. Pro-Kannada farmers and activists blocked Bengaluru-Mysuru highway on Tuesday bringing the normal life to a halt. In Mandya, protesters held dharnas (non-violent sit-in protests) at several places. Hundreds of security personnel, including Central forces, were deployed in the Cauvery belt to maintain law and order as protesters mobbed and ransacked several government offices. Prohibitory orders were issued at and around the Krishnarajasagar dam across the Cauvery river. Shops, hotels and other commercial establishments remained shut. In Bengaluru, some theatres stopped screening of Tamil movies as a "precautionary" step. Karnataka was releasing only 33 TMC (thousand million cubic) of water instead of the prescribed 94 TMC by the Cauvery tribunal order due to “severe distress”. Political parties in Tamil Nadu demanded that the Siddaramaiah government comply with the court directive and suggested that the state's chief minister Jayalalithaa lead an all-party delegation to Delhi to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India: Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu 'with a heavy heart' after top court's direction

Agitated farmers and activists belonging to pro-Kannada outfits today blocked the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in India&#39;s southern state of Karnataka as protests intensified in the wake of the Supreme Court directive to the state to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. 
 
Mandya district, the nucleus of Cauvery politics, saw a bandh&nbsp;(strike) with protesters holding road blockades and dharnas (peaceful demonstration) at several places, as hundreds of security personnel, including government forces, were deployed in the Cauvery belt to maintain law and order. 
 
Prohibitory orders have been clamped around Krishnarajasagar Dam and entry of visitors to it prohibited till September nine, as the Cauvery row hotted up after the Supreme Court direction to Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days to address the plight of the farmers there. 
 
Protesters also mobbed and ransacked several government offices in Mandya forcing their shut down, while attendance at government offices remained thin, police said. 
 
The Supreme Court&#39;s direction yesterday triggered an immediate backlash with the farmers&#39; body spearheading the stir, calling for a bandh today in Mandya district. 
 
Shops, hotels and other commercial establishments and theatres and hotels remained shut and schools and colleges declared a holiday in the district where state-run and private buses are also not plying. 
 
Protests are also being held in Mysuru and Hassan districts, fed by the Cauvery, demanding that Karnataka should not release water. 
 
Venting their anger, protesters burnt effigy of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa at several places. 
 
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is holding a meeting of? senior Ministers, legal experts and officials, has also invited legislature floor leaders and MPs later today to discuss the further course of action.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, the government appealed to people not to resort to agitation and to maintain calm. 
 
&quot;My appeal to the public is that don&#39;t resort to agitation...And keep calm and we will make all efforts to protect the interest of the farmers,&quot; law and parliamentary affairs minister T B Jayachandra told reporters in Bengaluru. 
 
Jayachandra said people should maintain calm as it is an order by the Supreme Court and the government needs to go before the Cauvery supervisory committee and convince it. 
 
&quot;My appeal is be calm, and don&#39;t spoil any government property or anything because it is a Supreme Court order. We have to go before the Supervisory Committee and we want to try to convince (it) also,&quot; the minister said. 
 
Former chief minister and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party&#39;s state president B S Yeddiyurappa asked the government to file a petition countering the Supreme Court order. 
 
In Mandya city, Kannada Rakshna Vedike outfit activists held a bike rally and burnt the effigy of Jayalalitha. 
 
G Madegowda, president of Cauvery Hita Rakshana Samithi, the body spearheading the agitation, criticised the chief minister and irrigation minister for their &quot;irresponsible&quot; behaviour over the Cauvery issue. 
 
He also called the district MLAs to resign en masse to protest against the &quot;injustice.&quot; 
 
(PTI)

India's apex court's directive to the state to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu state triggered an immediate backlash with the farmers

Agitated farmers and activists belonging to pro-Kannada outfits today blocked the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in India's southern state of Karnataka as protests intensified in the wake of the Supreme Court directive to the state to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Mandya district, the nucleus of Cauvery politics, saw a bandh (strike) with protesters holding road blockades and dharnas (peaceful demonstration) at several places, as hundreds of security personnel, including government forces, were deployed in the Cauvery belt to maintain law and order. Prohibitory orders have been clamped around Krishnarajasagar Dam and entry of visitors to it prohibited till September nine, as the Cauvery row hotted up after the Supreme Court direction to Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days to address the plight of the farmers there. Protesters also mobbed and ransacked several government offices in Mandya forcing their shut down, while attendance at government offices remained thin, police said. The Supreme Court's direction yesterday triggered an immediate backlash with the farmers' body spearheading the stir, calling for a bandh today in Mandya district. Shops, hotels and other commercial establishments and theatres and hotels remained shut and schools and colleges declared a holiday in the district where state-run and private buses are also not plying. Protests are also being held in Mysuru and Hassan districts, fed by the Cauvery, demanding that Karnataka should not release water. Venting their anger, protesters burnt effigy of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa at several places. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is holding a meeting of? senior Ministers, legal experts and officials, has also invited legislature floor leaders and MPs later today to discuss the further course of action. Meanwhile, the government appealed to people not to resort to agitation and to maintain calm. "My appeal to the public is that don't resort to agitation...And keep calm and we will make all efforts to protect the interest of the farmers," law and parliamentary affairs minister T B Jayachandra told reporters in Bengaluru. Jayachandra said people should maintain calm as it is an order by the Supreme Court and the government needs to go before the Cauvery supervisory committee and convince it. "My appeal is be calm, and don't spoil any government property or anything because it is a Supreme Court order. We have to go before the Supervisory Committee and we want to try to convince (it) also," the minister said. Former chief minister and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's state president B S Yeddiyurappa asked the government to file a petition countering the Supreme Court order. In Mandya city, Kannada Rakshna Vedike outfit activists held a bike rally and burnt the effigy of Jayalalitha. G Madegowda, president of Cauvery Hita Rakshana Samithi, the body spearheading the agitation, criticised the chief minister and irrigation minister for their "irresponsible" behaviour over the Cauvery issue. He also called the district MLAs to resign en masse to protest against the "injustice." (PTI)

Cauvery row: Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway blocked, protests intensify in India's Karnataka

A girl from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu who has gone to Turkey to participate in the world school games meet there has sent a Whatsapp video stating that all of them are safe and sought government help to ensure that the entire contingent comes back without any harm. 
 
&quot;We are safe here. There is no problem here in Trabzon (northeastern Turkey),&quot; Tamizhselvi, one of more than 10 athletes from Tamil Nadu in the contingent said in a Whatsapp video. 
 
They are part of a larger contingent of 148 Indian athletes participating in the World School Games amid a failed military coup in that country that claimed more than 250 lives as per news wires. Turkish government figures still stood at 161 at the time this report was filed. 
 
She said they came to know of the coup attempt only after a parent who had watched the news on TV called them on phone this morning. 
 
Tamizhselvi said the athletes had no idea if the rest of the games would be held as scheduled and said that as per their itinerary, they were scheduled to start back home from Trabzon on July 18 and reach Istanbul via Ankara. 
 
Since these cities had seen violence over the attempted coup, she urged the Centre should take steps to ensure that the athletes reached home safe. 
 
Her father Venkatesan too appealed to the government to ensure the safety of the children. 
 
India&#39;s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had tweeted that &quot;there are 148 Indian children and 38 officials in Trapzon #Turkey. They are all safe. The games are on. They will start returning in batches from 18th July.&quot; 
 
Earlier in the day, union sports minister Vijay Goel said that all the Indian athletes participating in the World School Games at Trabzon in Turkey are safe.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

148 Indian athletes are participating in the World School Games in Trabzon in northeastern Turkey

A girl from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu who has gone to Turkey to participate in the world school games meet there has sent a Whatsapp video stating that all of them are safe and sought government help to ensure that the entire contingent comes back without any harm. "We are safe here. There is no problem here in Trabzon (northeastern Turkey)," Tamizhselvi, one of more than 10 athletes from Tamil Nadu in the contingent said in a Whatsapp video. They are part of a larger contingent of 148 Indian athletes participating in the World School Games amid a failed military coup in that country that claimed more than 250 lives as per news wires. Turkish government figures still stood at 161 at the time this report was filed. She said they came to know of the coup attempt only after a parent who had watched the news on TV called them on phone this morning. Tamizhselvi said the athletes had no idea if the rest of the games would be held as scheduled and said that as per their itinerary, they were scheduled to start back home from Trabzon on July 18 and reach Istanbul via Ankara. Since these cities had seen violence over the attempted coup, she urged the Centre should take steps to ensure that the athletes reached home safe. Her father Venkatesan too appealed to the government to ensure the safety of the children. India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had tweeted that "there are 148 Indian children and 38 officials in Trapzon #Turkey. They are all safe. The games are on. They will start returning in batches from 18th July." Earlier in the day, union sports minister Vijay Goel said that all the Indian athletes participating in the World School Games at Trabzon in Turkey are safe. (PTI)

Tamil Nadu athlete posts Whatsapp video, says all safe in Turkey

Asian Development Bank will provide $100 million loan (about Rs 670 crore) to India for irrigation projects, drainage system and water management at the Cauvery delta in Indian state of Tamil Nadu. 
 
The fund will be used to strengthen embankments of six major irrigation water channels in the Vennar system and rehabilitate 13 irrigation pumping schemes at the Cauvery river basin, ADB said in a statement. 
 
The Cauvery river basin is a critical source of water for agriculture, both within Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring states. 
 
Project involves &nbsp;flood forecasting, warning systems installation&nbsp; 
 
A lack of investment over many years has left irrigation systems unable to meet user demand and increasingly vulnerable to floods and droughts, ADB said. 
 
&quot;The vast majority of the delta&#39;s population is engaged in farming and fishing. They can no longer rely on availability of water for their livelihoods, and flooding is common during the erratic northeast monsoon,&quot; said Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Institutions), Department of Economic Affairs. 
 
He added saying, &quot;Their plight may only worsen with climate change. The project aims to improve deteriorated infrastructure and will provide flood protection and renewed access to irrigation.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
ADB said communities will be involved in planning and delivery of water services. 
 
The project involves flood forecasting and warning systems installation, and a flood risks map will also be drawn up to help communities respond more effectively to extreme events. 
 
The Resources Department of Tamil Nadu will be responsible for implementing the project. The project is expected to be completed by December 2020. 
 
The loan from ADB&#39;s ordinary capital resources has a 25-year term. 
 
The Manila-headquartered ADB, owned by 67 member nations of which 48 are from the Asian region, assisted loans worth USD 27.2 billion in 2015. 
 
(PTI)&nbsp;

Fund will be used to strengthen embankments of 6 water channels in Vennar system and rehabilitate 13 pumping schemes at Cauvery basin

Asian Development Bank will provide $100 million loan (about Rs 670 crore) to India for irrigation projects, drainage system and water management at the Cauvery delta in Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The fund will be used to strengthen embankments of six major irrigation water channels in the Vennar system and rehabilitate 13 irrigation pumping schemes at the Cauvery river basin, ADB said in a statement. The Cauvery river basin is a critical source of water for agriculture, both within Tamil Nadu and the neighbouring states. Project involves flood forecasting, warning systems installation A lack of investment over many years has left irrigation systems unable to meet user demand and increasingly vulnerable to floods and droughts, ADB said. "The vast majority of the delta's population is engaged in farming and fishing. They can no longer rely on availability of water for their livelihoods, and flooding is common during the erratic northeast monsoon," said Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Institutions), Department of Economic Affairs. He added saying, "Their plight may only worsen with climate change. The project aims to improve deteriorated infrastructure and will provide flood protection and renewed access to irrigation." ADB said communities will be involved in planning and delivery of water services. The project involves flood forecasting and warning systems installation, and a flood risks map will also be drawn up to help communities respond more effectively to extreme events. The Resources Department of Tamil Nadu will be responsible for implementing the project. The project is expected to be completed by December 2020. The loan from ADB's ordinary capital resources has a 25-year term. The Manila-headquartered ADB, owned by 67 member nations of which 48 are from the Asian region, assisted loans worth USD 27.2 billion in 2015. (PTI)

Asian Development Bank to sanction  $100 million loan for water projects in India's Tamil Nadu

Sri Lankan Navy arrested five Indian fishermen and seized a boat for crossing maritime boundary, said fishermen association in southern Tamil Nadu state on Sunday. 
 
The fishermen were fishing near the Delft Island in the Palk Strait, a strait bounded by southern Mannar district and northern island of Sri Lanka. 
 
All fishermen hailed from Rameshwaram city of the state. 
 
This is second such incident in the month as three fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on June 5. 
 
A delegation of Tamil Nadu Fishermen Association met foreign minister Sushma Swaraj earlier this week, seeking her intervention in release of fishermen languishing in Sri Lankan jails. 
 
&quot;Despite her (Sushma Swaraj) assurance, the news on the arrest of fishermen has surfaced again. Hence, on behalf of Tamil Nadu Fishermen Association, we request the federal government to get to the end of this matter,&quot; said Tamil Nadu Fishermen Federation, secretary, CR Senthilvel. 
 
Detention of Indian fishermen by Lankan authorities is frequent, as they often cross the International Maritime Boundary Line for fishing in its waters 
 
Sri Lanka has long fumed over poaching and illegal fishing by Indian fishermen that it says deplete the catches of its own fishermen. 
 
In November last year, as many as 126 Indian fishermen, arrested by Sri Lankan navy on the charges of poaching, were released. 
 
(Reuters)

Sri Lanka has long fumed over poaching and illegal fishing that it says deplete its own industry

Sri Lankan Navy arrested five Indian fishermen and seized a boat for crossing maritime boundary, said fishermen association in southern Tamil Nadu state on Sunday. The fishermen were fishing near the Delft Island in the Palk Strait, a strait bounded by southern Mannar district and northern island of Sri Lanka. All fishermen hailed from Rameshwaram city of the state. This is second such incident in the month as three fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on June 5. A delegation of Tamil Nadu Fishermen Association met foreign minister Sushma Swaraj earlier this week, seeking her intervention in release of fishermen languishing in Sri Lankan jails. "Despite her (Sushma Swaraj) assurance, the news on the arrest of fishermen has surfaced again. Hence, on behalf of Tamil Nadu Fishermen Association, we request the federal government to get to the end of this matter," said Tamil Nadu Fishermen Federation, secretary, CR Senthilvel. Detention of Indian fishermen by Lankan authorities is frequent, as they often cross the International Maritime Boundary Line for fishing in its waters Sri Lanka has long fumed over poaching and illegal fishing by Indian fishermen that it says deplete the catches of its own fishermen. In November last year, as many as 126 Indian fishermen, arrested by Sri Lankan navy on the charges of poaching, were released. (Reuters)

Sri Lankan Navy arrests five Indian fishermen for crossing maritime boundary

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