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Karnataka farmers try to set train afire

Violence erupted in some parts of Karnataka following the Supreme Court's directive to the S M Krishna government to release 9000 cusecs [0.8 thousand million cubic feet] of water daily to Tamil Nadu in accordance with the order of the Cauvery River Authority.

Agitating farmers attacked the Mysore-Hazrat Nizamuddin Swarna Jayanthi Express near the Mandya railway station.

Railway officials told rediff.com that the mob pelted stones at the train, which left Mysore at 1620 IST.

"The Railway Protection Force rushed to the spot and prevented the miscreants from setting the train's engine on fire," a railway spokesman said.

After the mob dispersed, the train resumed its journey towards New Delhi. It was running 2 hours behind schedule and the passengers were safe, the official said.

Armed guards and RPF constables had boarded the train, he added.

The Southern Railway had decided to terminate at Bangalore the Chennai-Mysore Cauvery Express and the Chennai-Mysore Shatabdi Express.

According to reports, a bus with Tamil Nadu registration was also set on fire in Mandya district, leading to injuries to a few passengers.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation was also thinking of suspending bus services in the old Mysore region on Saturday.

A Congress worker in Mysore tried to immolate himself to protest against the court order.

Police Commissioner Chandrashekar told rediff.com that the police moved in swiftly and stopped Chottu Sab (45), who had doused himself with kerosene.

The government had rushed in additional forces to all sensitive areas, including the Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagar reservoirs.

Home Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge appealed to the farmers to maintain peace, as Krishna had promised to protect their interests.

"The water levels in all the four reservoirs are quite low on account of poor inflows due to southwest monsoon failure for the second year in a row.

"It is not even sufficient for the standing crops in the southern districts of the state. We also have to supply drinking water to several cities and towns spawning the river till the next southwest monsoon breaks in June 2003," he said.

Various organisations had resolved to step up their agitation in Mysore on Saturday.

Cauvery Water Dispute: The Complete Coverage

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