Protests continue across K’taka over Cauvery water dispute

Mandya: Protests led by Karnataka farmers and pro-Kannada outfits continued throughout the state, opposing the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s order to release water to Tamil Nadu until September 28.
The protestors laid on the ground and formed human chains, besides raising slogans against the “injustice” meted out to the people of Karnataka because of the CWMA’s order.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged demonstrations in Bengaluru and Udupi on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
They also held protests in other Cauvery river basin districts including Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagara.
Protests also were held in Chitradurga, Ballari, Davanagere, Koppal and Vijayapura districts, wherein the protestors raised slogans, staged road blockades, burnt effigies and tyres.
Praveen Shetty led Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists who blocked the highway at KR Puram. They were later detained by the police.
Some Kannada organisations also blocked the TK Halli pumping station in Mandya, which supplies water to all of Bengaluru city.
The fresh protests erupted following the Apex court’s refusal to interfere with orders of the CWMA and CWRC directing Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till September 28.
A bandh call was also given by the Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti in Mandya. It affected daily activities including vehicular movement and business today.
Speaking on the issue, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara warned the protestors of action if they indulged in unlawful activity and caused inconvenience to people.
Heavy police bandobast has been arranged near the KRS Dam in Mandya, and it is well prepared to handle any untoward incidents, the Minister said.
In Bengaluru, heavy police bandobast also has been arranged in areas inhabited by Tamil people.
City Police Commissioner B Dayananda said all necessary security steps and precautions have been taken to avert stone pelting on Tamil Nadu registered vehicles.