The farmers of catchment areas and JD(S) workers staged a protest in front of the Harangi reservoir on Saturday, demanding the release of water from the reservoir to the canals.
The farmers accused the government of showing negligent attitude in releasing water to the canals even after the reservoir is full. The protesters shouted slogans against the state government and the officials of the Irrigation Department.
The protest was led by former minister B A Jeevijaya and Shirangala farmers leader S S Chandrashekar.
‘Water to Tamil Nadu’
Jeevijaya said that, without releasing water to the canals, water from the reservoir is being released into the river. There is a conspiracy to release water to Tamil Nadu through KRS, he alleged.
The former minister said that the farmers have taken up farming activities in the catchment areas. With the decline in rainfall, water is required for preparation of paddy seedlings, he reminded.
Receiving the memorandum from the protesters, Irrigation Department executive engineer Rangaswamy said, “Fifty cusecs water was released into left canal. After a meeting of officials in Mysuru, measures would be taken to release water into the canals.”
Farmers from Thorenooru, Shirangala, Hebbale, Kanive, Koodige and Piriyapattana had taken part in the protest.
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