JOIN USDemands for release of water into canals has intensified with pro-Kannada organisations issuing suicide threats and planning a protest and Maddur bandh on July 27.
“If the state government does not release water from KRS dam to Visvesvaraya Canal before July 28, the members of the organisation will commit suicide on the Maddur lake bed,” warned Ramesh Gowda, president of Karnataka Janapara Vedike, here on Tuesday.
The indefinite protest, being staged by the organisation, entered its 18th day on Tuesday. Gowda told reporters that a woman sadhwi called ‘Honnamma’ sacrificed her life for the construction of Maddur lake.
“Similarly, five members are ready to sacrifice their lives for water. The government should not neglect our demand. It should release water,” he said.
He said that a mega protest will be staged on the lake bed on July 27. Seers of various mutts, film actors, leaders of pro-Kannada organisations, legislators, hundreds of farmers with their tractors, bullock carts and cattle will participate. More than 20,000 farmers are expected to participate, Gowda said.
Traders’ Union president Veerabhadraswamy said that shops will voluntarily down their shutters to extend support to the bandh on July 27. Members of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha also staged a protest by blocking the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway at Koppa Circle demanding the release of water into canals.