Somanna urges Siddaramaiah to convene meeting to resolve Hemavathi link canal row

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna on Tuesday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to convene a meeting of elected representatives from Tumakuru district to address the row over the controversial Hemavathi Express Link Canal Feeder Project.

"It's deeply regrettable that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has not addressed the injustice faced by Tumakuru farmers due to the controversial Hemavathi Express Link Canal Feeder Project, despite repeated pleas to halt its work, " Somanna said in a letter to the CM.

Alleging that there were attempts to suppress protests by filing cases against agitating farmers, the public, and seers, he said such act by police was deplorable.

The CM should convene a meeting of all public representatives from the region, in the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister who also holds an Irrigation portfolio, to discuss the injustices, pros, and cons of this project for the farmers, he said.

He urged the CM to withdraw all cases filed against farmers and religious leaders of Tumakuru district, who were opposing this project.