RPF arrives, Cauvery agitation intensified

Bangalore, Feb 9 (UNI) One platoon of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) arrived here today, even as the agitation against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) intensified with stars of the silver screen joining the stir.

According to Railway sources, the RPF from Vishakapatnam, which arrived here, would be deployed in sensitive stations as a precautionary measure in view of the proposed Statewide bandh on February 12.

Cauvery Hitarakshana Horatta Samithi, spearheading the agitation, decided to embark on a relay hunger strike in Mandya from tomorrow.

Samithi President G Made Gowda told newspersons in Mandya that the agitation would be held in a peaceful manner and all the elected representatives from Mandya district were requested to participate.

A meeting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from the State had been convened in Bangalore on February 15 to chalk out the future course of action.

In the State Capital, National award winning actress Thara and others participated in a protest carrying empty plastic water pots.

Meanwhile, vehicular movement on the Bangalore-Mysore State Highway continued to be affected for the fifth day today, with farmers resorting to road blockades and womenfolk preparing food on the road for those participating in the agitation.

Police sources said no untoward incident was reported from any part of the State.

UNI