The South Indian Cine Artistes’ Association (SICAA) – otherwise known as Nadigar Sangam – has announced that it would be holding protests to pressurize the Centre to immediately set up the much-needed Cauvery Management Board (CMB) as per the Supreme Court’s directions. A date for the protest would be announced later, Nadigar Sangam functionaries have said.

Protests of all kinds have been taking place all over the States against the BJP-led Centre’s reluctance in setting up the CMB as directed by the apex Court in its verdict delivered on 16th February this year. The deadline of six weeks stipulated by the apex Court to set up the CMB expired last Thursday (29th March), thus angering and upsetting the people and farmers in the State.

Youths in Chennai and neighbouring Districts planned to hold a ‘Jallikkattu’ style of protest (witnessed last January) on the Marina to drum up support on the CMB row but their efforts have been thwarted by the local police which has brought the entire stretch of Marina Beach under their control.

Speaking to newsmen, a Nadigar Sangam functionary said that actors, actresses, producers, directors, technicians and others in the film industry would be protesting on the issue expressing their solidarity with the people in general and farmers in particular. “A date and the nature of the protest would be announced soon,” he said and added that protests would also be held in support of Tuticorin District’s people in vacating the Sterlite Industries from the District.