Mandya: In the wake of the Supreme Court's directive to Karnataka to release 4,500
CUSECS of water a day, the District Farmers' Association on February 8 today geared
up for a second round of agitation in Mandya by resorting to road blockades on the
Bangalore-Mysore road.
More than two hundred activists of the Association participated in road blockades.
The leader of the Association K S Puttanaiah and some others expressed doubts about
the outcome of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) meeting on February 10, which they
said "may be in favour of Tamil Nadu".
They also criticised the decision of the government to release water from the Kabini
reservoir, saying it was against the interest of the farmers in the Cauvery
basin.
Puttanaiah said any direction for release of water by the CRA should be based on the
quantum suggested by the Central Water Commission, which is an integral part of the
CRA.
While the agitation did not draw much attention on February 8, Karnataka State Road
Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services were affected. However, train services
were not disrupted and life remained normal as the police had made adequate
arrangements.
PTI
