Watch Tamil Nadu bandh: DMK leaders Stalin, Kanimozhi, MDMK Chief Vaiko detained during protest over Cauvery issue

MK leaders M K Stalin and Kanimozhi were among several leaders detained today while staging protests in support of a shutdown called in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery row as the dawn to dusk bandh called by farmers, traders and supported by the opposition over the issue evoked a mixed response in the state.

A dawn-to-dusk bandh called by several farmers and traders bodies over the raging Cauvery dispute began on Friday across Tamil Nadu amid tight security with Opposition parties, including the DMK, supporting it. As those who had given the bandh call have said a series of protests, including “road and rail roko”, will be held, thousands of police personnel have been deployed across the state to maintain law and order.

As it happened:

DMK & VCK party workers' 'Rail Roko' protest against #CauveryIssue in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/4EAg0jr8r5

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 16, 2016

#DMK leader MK Stalin detained in Chennai while MDMK Chief Vaiko detained in Tiruchirappalli during protest ovr Cauvery issue

#DMK leader Kanimozhi, who was protesting along with other party workers over #Cauvery water dispute row, detained by police.

#Chennai: TN farmers' association stage 'Rail Roko' protest at Saidapet railway station over Cauvery issue

#Chennai: DMK workers stage protest over #Cauvery water dispute row, DMK leader Kanimozhi also present

#Thanjavur (TN): Tamil Nadu Bandh over Cauvery issue disrupts normal life, shops and schools remain closed

#Pudukkottai (TN): DMK workers hold 'Rail Roko' protest over Kalasa Banduri Canal issue detained by police 

#Kanchipuram: Tamil Nadu Bandh over Cauvery issue disrupts normal life

Kanchipuram: #TamilNaduBandh over #CauveryIssue disrupts normal life; visuals from central bus stand. pic.twitter.com/eT7jFOARsc

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 16, 2016

#TamilNaduBandh disrupts normal life, schools remain closed. pic.twitter.com/rBg7Fw2ksB

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 16, 2016

Chennai: Koyambedu market closed today as farmers' organisations and Opposition parties call for #TamilNaduBandh pic.twitter.com/EMEd6l5lwh

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 16, 2016

Attibele: Commuters forced to walk across the border after K'taka Police stops vehicular movement to TN #TNBandh pic.twitter.com/esXZIxAJr1

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 16, 2016

Police said tight vigil was being maintained and no attempts to mar public peace or disruption of free movement of transportation—on road or rail—would be allowed. Several local grocery shops, which usually open by daybreak, remained shut in view of the protests.

State transport corporation-run buses besides trains are being operated as usual though autos, taxis and commercial freight operators remained off the roads.

The bandh has been called in protest against the violence targeting Tamils in Karnataka and also to seek Cauvery water for the state.

Barring the ruling AIADMK, its allies and trade unions affiliated, all other Opposition parties, including the DMK, Tamil Nadu Congress, DMDK, MDMK, Left parties and the PMK, are supporting the bandh.

Thousands of police personnel, including armed reserve forces, have been deployed in Tamil Nadu and in Chennai over 15,000 policemen are on duty.

Protection was being provided for Karnataka-related business establishments, schools, institutions and areas where Kannada speaking people live, including Krishnagiri district.