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Cauvery row: Lathi charge on
agitating farmers in Mandya

Police on Monday burst tear gas shells and resorted to a lathi charge to disperse a mob, which had gathered at the Silver Jubilee Park in Mandya in view of the Supreme Court hearing Tamil Nadu's contempt petition on the Cauvery issue.

The approximately 1000 people who had assembled grew restless after the court announced that it would give its verdict on November 1.

President of the Cauvery River Protection Committee G Made Gowda immediately called up Chief Minister S M Krishna and asked if Karnataka would continue to release water to Tamil Nadu till the court gave its verdict.

The chief minister reportedly refused to give a direct answer, which angered Made Gowda who immediately told the assembled farmers to prepare for an agitation.

The farmers were threatening to take control of the Krishnaraja Sagar and the Kabini dams and prevent release of water to Tamil Nadu.

It was at this stage that the police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

The police have blocked roads leading to the two dams and may go in for preventive arrests.

PTI adds:
Attacking the Karnataka Chief Minister for releasing water to Tamil Nadu, the Cauvery River Protection Committee said it would continue its stir till S M Krishna resigned and will launch a 'jail bharo' agitation.

Committee president G Made Gowda demanded Krishna's resignation for "letting down" the farmers. The release of water should be stopped immediately, he said.

Stray incidents of stone throwing were reported in the morning when agitators also forced closure of shops and other commercial establishments in Mandya to protest against the release of water.

Cauvery Water Dispute: The Complete Coverage

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