K'taka: Cauvery agitations continue peacefully

Mysore, Feb 9: Protests against the Cauvery Water DisputesTribunal order continued in a peaceful manner in Mandya, Mysore andChamarajanagara 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 weretied on the road and the womenfolk cooked food in the middle of theroad to feed the agitators.

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

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

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

Meanwhile, the Mysore Tamil Sangam passed a resolution supportingthe bandh on February 12 against the order and decided to join handswith the Cauvery Kriya Samithi in its agitation. Leaders of the unitsof the Sangam in Chamarajanagara, Mysore and Kodagu districts wouldenrol as members of the Cauvery Kriya Samithi. They have appealed toTamilians in Karnataka to unite with their 'Kannada brothers' andcooperate with them in getting a favourable judgement for the State.

In Chamarajanagara district too, the agitation continued in apeaceful manner. The Cauvery Women Horata Samithi staged a protestmarch and hanged an effigy of the Tribunal. Kannada organisationsresorted to a road blockade at Santhemarhalli village.

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

UNI

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