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