Cauvery agitations continue peacefully

Mysore, Feb 9 (UNI) Protests against the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal order continued in a peaceful manner in Mandya, Mysore and Chamarajanagara districts of Karnataka for the fourth day today, throwing traffic on the Mysore-Bangalore highway out of gear.

Farmers blocked roads at Gejjalagere, Hanakere, Maddur, Srirangapatna, Pandavapura, Mandya city and other places. Cattles were tied on the road and the womenfolk cooked food in the middle of the road to feed the agitators.

At Pandavapura railway station, farmers, led by KRRS President K S Puttannaiah, stalled the Shimoga-Mysore Passenger for more than 30 minutes and resorted to road blockade. At Malavalli Taluk, the agitators laid siege to the post office.

In Mysore, the agitation continued as various college students boycotted classes, took out a procession and staged a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office. Thousands of students also lay siege to the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in the city. Various Kannada organisations also staged protests across the city.

BJP city President Manjunatha and others staged a novel protest with two donkeys representing the Tribunal and noted playwright Girish Karnad, who voiced support to adopt the award.

Meanwhile, the Mysore Tamil Sangam passed a resolution supporting the bandh on February 12 against the order and decided to join hands with the Cauvery Kriya Samithi in its agitation. Leaders of the units of the Sangam in Chamarajanagara, Mysore and Kodagu districts would enrol as members of the Cauvery Kriya Samithi. They have appealed to Tamilians in Karnataka to unite with their 'Kannada brothers' and cooperate with them in getting a favourable judgement for the State.

In Chamarajanagara district too, the agitation continued in a peaceful manner. The Cauvery Women Horata Samithi staged a protest march and hanged an effigy of the Tribunal. Kannada organisations resorted to a road blockade at Santhemarhalli village.

KSRTC sources said its services had dropped to just 20 per cent of the usual 600 trips made per day and authorities were trying to operate buses via Malavalli and Kanakapura.

UNI