Mandya (Karnataka): Police lobbed teargas shells, resorted to mild caning and took into custody about 400 farmers who courted arrest as part of their "jail barao" programme launched today (Oct 28) demanding immediate stoppage of Cauvery water release to Tamil Nadu.

The meeting organised by the Cauvery farmers protection committee headed by former MP, G Madegowda turned violent with farmers indulging in stone throwing to vent their ire over the government's decision of releasing water.

The police who burst teargas shells to check the berserk mob, later resorted to lathicharge, Karnataka DGP, T Madiyal said.

He said the farmers courted arrest in groups adding that Madegowda who wanted to join fellow farmers was not taken into custody.

Addressing the meeting, which held a day after the Council of Ministers meeting which endorsed the decision of the Chief Minister, S M Krishna to release water to Tamil Nadu, Madegowda accused him of reneging on his word of not releasing water.

Madegowda demanding Krishna's resignation for what he called "letting down" farmers, warned that they would continue the jail baro stir till the Chief Minister quit office.

The police have already clamped prohibitory orders under section 144 Cr PC in Mandya, Srirangapatna, Maddur and Malavally and stationed additional police forces including Rapid Action Force (RAF) to meet any eventuality.

Meanwhile, the water release from KRS that began last night continued, official sources said.

The situation is under control, Madiyal said.

PTI