Search the Internet          Tips

Karnataka farmers to resume agitation

Thousands of farmers in Mandya and Mysore districts have decided to revive from Monday their protest against the Karnataka government's decision to release water to Tamil Nadu.

The farmers have come to know that water is being released from the Krishna Raja Sagar reservoir, Cauvery Protection Forum president G Made Gowda told rediff.com from Mandya on Sunday night.

"KRS dam engineers are telling us that the water is being released for irrigating the standing crops in the Cauvery river basin. But we know it is meant for Tamil Nadu," he said.

He said Chief Minister S M Krishna had promised during his padayatra that he would rather go to jail and sacrifice his seat than release water.

"The chief minister should resign from his post instead of betraying the farmers. We will resume our agitation from Monday, though we have learnt that the authorities have rushed about 3,000 Central Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force personnel," Gowda asserted.

Gowda said the government has also directed the district administration to clamp Section 144 in the district and declare a two-day holiday for schools and colleges.

"Prohibitory orders banning the assembling of five or more persons have been issued on Sunday. Why is the government taking such draconian measures if it is not releasing water?

"We will block roads and stop train services from Monday. All activity will come to a standstill and normal life will be disrupted in protest against the government's decision to resume releasing water," he said.

Cauvery Water Dispute: The Complete Coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report