Chennai: The general strike called by farmers and traders to support the protests of Tamil Nadu farmers in Delhi demanding the formation of Cauvery Management Board, farm loan waiver and drought relief evoked partial response in the state and good support in delta districts.

Hundreds of students belonging to various colleges in the city tried to block trains and were arrested. Besides, most of the held protest demonstrations at several places and some of them tried to block the roads. As protests of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University intensified, the university announced indefinite closure from Monday.

Farmers held protest demonstrations, road and rail blockades throughtout the state and students joined their agitations at several places. The protest was intense in the Cauvery delta districts were hundreds of farmers were arrested when they tried to stop trains.

All political parties, barring the BJP had expressed support to the farmers agitations. Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peravi leader T. Vellaiyan had called for closure of shops to support the farmers protests. The shops in Chennai and suburbs were partially shut, while most of the shops and commercial establishments remained closed in the delta districts of Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Tiruchy.

Students of various colleges blocked Anna Salai and raised slogans supporting the demands of state farmers. Police who rushed to the spot appealed to the students to disperse, but students refused to oblige. Finally, police arrested the protesting students.

Students of Law College are continuing their protests for the fourth consecutive day, while Presidency College students also held protest demonstrations inside the college campus. A section of Law College students tried to block trains at Fort railway station and they were arrested by the police.

In Ponneri in Tiruvallur district, students held protest demonstrations before the government college and held a rally to the old bus stoop. Tamil Nadu Farmers Association president P.K, Deivasigamani said the protests were peaceful and did not disrupt the normal lives of people.