Mandya: As the agitation to protest release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu entered fifth day on November 1, farmers of four villages held dharna on November 1 demanding resignation of Chief Minister S M Krishna, withdrawal of curfew and setting free of the arrested farmers leaders.

With the authorities continuing curfew, residents of Annur, Chikkarasinakere, Besagarahalli and Gejjalagere defied curfew and staged dharna, protesting arrest of Cauvery river farmers protection committee president, G Madegowda and others.

The people squatting on the roads demanded the government to withdraw curfew, police said, adding that no untoward incident has been reported in the district so far.

Meanwhile, the curfew was relaxed between 6.00 am (IST) and 9.00 am (IST) to facilitate people to make purchase of essential commodities and it was re-imposed later, police said.

Police said about 1,000 member strong group formed human chain in Nagamangala protesting against the water release and stoned two buses.

Official sources hinted that the authorities were contemplating to extend the curfew by three more days from November 1 midnight.

The curfew clamped on October 30 would end on November 1 night.

PTI