Protests erupted in Mandya district as soon as the news of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directing Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu trickled in.
The activists of the Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene gave vent to their ire by blocking the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.
“We have been demanding the government to release water for drinking purposes and for our livestock. But, the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam is not moved by our plight. Now, the Cauvery Water Management Authority has directed Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu. If water is released, we will hold a severe protest,” they said. Protests were held at Pandavapura and Srirangapatna also.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and Cauvery Horata Samiti president G Madegowda warned that the people of the district would hit the streets if water was released to Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters, Madegowda said that there was no water for drinking purposes in Mandya and other districts. “The crops are withering as the officials have stopped releasing water into canals. Under this situation, if water is released to Tamil Nadu, people will rise in revolt”.
He said that the water in the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam, was meant for drinking purpose. “Let the representatives of the authority conduct an inspection. It is not right to take a decision sitting somewhere else. Protests will become inevitable if water is released,” he warned.
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