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Call for Coimbatore city bandh tomorrow Salem Railway Division: City bandh tomorrow

Staff Reporter

Essential services will not be affected

JOINT STRUGGLE: Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam general secretary K. Ramakrishnan (second left), Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy (second from right) and former Congress MLA V.K. Lakshmanan (right) at an all-party meeting in the city on Su nday. — PHOTO: S. SIVA SARAVANAN

Coimbatore: Salem Railway Division Protection Struggle Committee has given a call for a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. bandh in the city on Tuesday (February 20) demanding inclusion of Coimbatore and areas in Tamil Nadu in the Salem Railway Division.

Decision

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of all like-minded organisations, including various political parties and associations of trade, industry and commerce.

The meeting presided by K. Ramakrishnan, General Secretary of the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, was attended by representatives and office-bearers from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Pattali Makkal Katchi, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Communist Party of India, Kovai Power Driven Pumps and Spares Manufacturers Association, Coimbatore City Merchants Association, Arasu Paniyalar Sangham, Two-wheeler Mechanics Association, Adi-Tamizhar Peravai, Rice Merchants Association, Coimbatore Bar Association and Salem Railway Division Protection Committee.

Retaining revenue

The meeting condemned the attitude and remarks of the Kerala Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandhan, and accused him of trying to stall the formation of the division and also of trying to retain the revenue of the Coimbatore region with the Palakkad division.

Jurisdiction

The meeting also urged the Centre and the Railway Ministry not to amend or alter the jurisdiction of the Salem Railway Division announced in the orders.

Areas in Tamil Nadu (from Walayar on the Kerala border) should go with the Salem division, they demanded and opposed the idea of Palakkad Division retaining Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode areas. The bandh was only to express solidarity with sentiments of the people in the region, Mr. Ramakrishnan pointed out.

The AIADMK representatives have announced that they would confirm their stand after consultation with the high command, he said.

A call has been given to keep buses and auto rickshaws off the road on Tuesday. All shops and establishments would down shutters.

Establishments

Schools could take their own decision on whether to declare a holiday or to function as usual, the struggle committee said.

There would be no interruption to essential services such as milk supply, water, electricity, hospitals and medical shops.

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