Cadres of the opposition DMK and its allies and friendly parties formed a huge human chain yesterday by holding hands to condemn the Centre for not setting up the much-needed Cauvery Management Board (CMB) to ensure proper sharing of Cauvery water by the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

The ‘human-chain’ protest passed off peacefully in Chennai and elsewhere in the State as cadres and supporters of the DMK and nine other parties took part willingly in the protest. Cutting across party barriers, members of the public were also seen to be holding hands with the human-chain protesters.

It may be recalled that the Supreme Court passed an order on 16th February directing that Karnataka should release 177.25 TMC water to fulfill the agricultural and irrigation needs of farmers of Delta Districts in Tamil Nadu. It also directed the Centre to form a ‘scheme’ under which the water-sharing arrangement can be supervised. The Centre took its time in seeking the apex Court’s explanation on ‘scheme’ and was promptly pulled up by the Court for the same.

It directed the Centre to file with it by 03rd May a detailed action-plan to ensure proper water-sharing by concerned States. Protests were held yesterday across the State by way of forming human-chains at all District headquarters besides in Chennai. DMK’s Rajya Sabha M.P. Kanimozhi, former Union Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran, J. Anbazhagan, MLA led the DMK’s protest in Chennai.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko and DMK’s former Union Minister T.R. Baalu were also part of the protest.  DMK’s working president Stalin took part in the protest by standing as part of the human chain near the new Bus Terminus in Pudukkottai. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan was present along with party cadres at the protest held at Krishnagiri.