Goa officials obstructed during Kalasa-Banduri joint inspection: CM

Despite obstruction at the Kalasa-Banduri canal site by Karnataka government officials during a joint inspection last week, Goa officials managed to get sufficient photo and video evidence to bolster the state government's case, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday.

"Our Superintendent Engineer (Water Resources) had visited the site. Some people were obstructed and restricted, but our SE went inside and carried out video shooting and took photos," the Chief Minister said when asked to comment on the alleged ruckus which took place last week during the Supreme Court-ordered joint site inspection at the controversial Kalsa-Banduri canal site.

"Engineers from all three states, Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka did not concur on some issues. That is why they were going to meet again and discuss the issue," Sawant also said.

The Opposition in Goa had lashed out at Sawant accusing him of "not being strong enough" in wake of reports that state government officials were allegedly threatened by Karnataka police and their IDs snatched during the joint inspection of the canal site.

The Goa government, which has filed two separate petitions in the apex court, has accused Karnataka of diverting water from the Mahadayi river and thereby committing contempt of the Supreme Court, which is already hearing a special leave petition related to the river diversion issue.