Alert policemen in Coimbatore successfully thwarted self-immolation bids of two DMK cadres who were protesting against the Centre for not setting up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB).

As part of the protests announced by party’s working president M.K. Stalin, DMK cadres protested in various Districts across the State condemning the BJP-led Centre of neglecting the State’s interests in postponing the process of setting up the CMB.  Little did they know that by the time they were protesting, the Supreme Court had clearly stated that it didn’t mean a ‘Board’ when it said a ‘scheme’ had to be set up.

Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said that the Court had only referred to a kind of an ‘action plan’ to be put in place when it delivered its February 16 verdict in the Cauvery river water sharing row.  DMK cadres indulged in ‘road-roko’ at many places in almost all the Districts, throwing vehicular traffic off gear for many hours.  They also squatted on rail tracks at some places thus disrupting rail services too.

Cadres have also been attempting to ‘seal’ Central Govt. offices and establishments in Chennai and elsewhere in the State.  College and school students, most of whom are enjoying summer vacations, have also joined the protest in an emotional manner.

At a protest meeting held in Peelamedu in Coimbatore, two DMK cadres – identified later as Murugesan and Sadhasivam - poured kerosene on their bodies and attempted to self-immolate.  Alert cops and those near the duo stepped in time and thwarted the duo’s bid to set their bodies on fire, thus averting a major tragedy.