Bandh call in Coimbatore

Protesting the stand of Kerala seeking retention of certain areas around Coimbatore in the Palakkad Railway Division, a dawn to dusk bandh has been called for Tuesday in the city corporation limits.

The decision to this affect was taken on Sunday night at an all party meeting under the banner of 'Salem Railway Division Protection Committee'.

Condemning the stand taken by MPs of Kerala, the meeting wanted inclusion of Coimbatore, Podanur, Tirupur and Erode in new Salem division, K Ramakrishnan, general secretary of Periyar Dravida Kazhakam, who chaired the meeting, said.

Accusing Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan of trying to put spokes against the formation of Salem division to "retain" huge revenue from Tamil Nadu areas, a resolution too of both states to sort out the issue through dialogue, Ramakrishnan said.

Representatives of DMK, AIADMK, PMK, MDMK, CPI and various trade and social organisations attended the meeting.

Essential services like milk, water, power, medical shops and hospitals have been exempted from the bandh, while the meeting urged all shops and commercial establishments to down their shutters and buses and auto rickshaws to keep off the roads, to express solidarity with the bandh.

Educational institutions can themselves decide whether to declare holiday or function, Ramakrishnan said.