Mysore: In an ugly turn to the ongoing agitation against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Beechanahalli Jilla Panchayat chairman Guruswamy on September 18 jumped into the river at the Kabini reservoir site and is feared drowned, police sources said.

Police said Guruswamy leaped into the river along with three others.

Though cattle grazers rescued three persons, they could not find Guruswamy.

Some 600 farmers including a large number of women had gathered at the dam site to protest release of water.

The farmers who had gathered demanded immediate stoppage of water to save Guruswamy, which the authorities did promptly but still he could not be traced, police said.

At one stage, a woman was also about to jump into the river but she was persuaded not to do so.

Following this, 40-year old Guruswamy and three others jumped into the river.

On hearing the news, some 2,000 agitated farmers from the surrounding villages had converged at the dam site and the situation there was stated to be tense.

PTI