Activists of the Karnataka Kavalu Pade on Tuesday staged a protest in front of the Harangi reservoir, following the Supreme Court’s verdict to release water to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Karnataka state government to release 15,000 cusecs of water from the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mandya district to Tamil Nadu.
The protesters, led by the Kavalu Pade district unit president M Krishna, made a bid to barge into the reservoir premises only to be thwarted by a strong contingent of police personnel. Anticipating protest, the police had also erected barricades in large numbers, besides deploying men in khaki on and outside the reservoir premises. When all their attempts went in vain, the irate activists raised slogans against both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu state governments.
Unacceptable
The agitators, who termed the apex court’s verdict as shocking, said it is totally unacceptable when the reservoirs in the state in general are yet to reach their brim, following failure of monsoon. “During a normal situation, the water level in the dams was reaching a higher mark by June. Even two months later this year, the dams present a pathetic picture in the month of September. As a result, the state is witnessing a drought-like situation, leaving farmers in a befuddled state, due to dried crops. Moreover, it has become a routine on the part of Tamil Nadu government to make false claims on water front, although the Mettur dam has sufficient storage of water. The Centre is practising step motherly attitude towards Karnataka, which is yet another reason for the present situation,” they alleged further.
Making a mention of Water Resources Minister M B Patil’s move by filing an affidavit at the court, to release 10,000 cusecs of water, the agitators raised slogans against the minister and also Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Kavalu Pade president Krishna wanted the state government to file a factual report on the present situation to protect farmers interest.
Garden closed
Following the volatile situation, the garden within the precincts of reservoir was closed, prohibiting the entry of visitors and tourists on Tuesday. The recent move on the part of the authorities concerned is in view of safety and security of visitors and the reservoir.
Security in place
As a precautionary measure, a strong contingent of police led by DySP Kumar is deployed at the reservoir. Superintendent of Police P Rajendra Prasad reviewed the security arrangements in place on Tuesday.
Published 06 September 2016, 18:15 IST