JOIN USCauvery: Farmers block Mysuru-B'luru highway
Terming the Supreme Court’s directive to release 2,000 cusec of water from KRS dam to Tamil Nadu as unscientific, the farmers and the activists of several people’s organisations expressed their anguish by blocking the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway near here on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the apex court directed Karnataka to continue releasing 2,000 cusec of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu till the hearing related to water-sharing is taken up on February 7.
Farmers and pro-Kannada organisations staged a protest raising slogans against the state and Central governments for their indifference and the unscientific orders passed by the Supreme Court. The agitators blocked the road for well over half-an-hour, thereby disrupting the vehicular traffic on the busy road.
KRRS vice president Konasale Narasaraju said SC’s directive over Cauvery issue has hurt the farmers of the district as they are already reeling under drought.
“During Sankranthi festival, farmers have no water to wash and feed cattle, hence, the Supreme Court’s directive has come as a shocker. State government should not release water to Tamil Nadu at any cost,” the agitators demanded.
Various Kannada organisations staged a protest by blocking the highway. They also raised slogans against both the governments to vent their ire. Similar protests were also held at Srirangapatna.
Madegowda warns protest
Cauvery Hitharakshana Samithi president G Madegowda has said that the state has already released water meant for drinking purposes to save crops in Tamil Nadu. “If government decides to release water, farmers will be forced to resort to protests,” he said.
Dead storage at KRS
According to officials of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam, the water level in Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir is nearing dead storage level. Officials said water level in the KRS dam was 79.44 ft on Thursday while the dead storage is 74 ft. The water level on Jan 4, 2016, was 105.79 ft.