Agitation continues in K'taka over CWDT verdict

Bangalore, Feb 10: Agitations continued in Karnataka today in protest against Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal final verdict on sharing of Cauvery water.

Members of Cauvery Hitharakshana Samithi, which is spearheading the agitation, led by its President G Made Gowda, launched indefinite hunger strike in Mandya, even as the vehicular movement on Bangalore-Mysore State Highway continued to be affected for the fifth day. Minister for Transport N Chaluvarayaswamy and elected representatives from the district also participated in the agitation.

Widespread agitation in Cauvery basin districts are continuing demanding the state government to file review petition on the verdict.

Meanwhile, Bangalore-Mysore Cauvery Express was stopped by the members of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) at Gajjalagere. The agitators started cooking on the railway track affecting train services. In Shimoga pro-Kannada activists stopped the Shimoga-Mysore express for some time.

Agitators held rally and took out procession and put up road blockade in Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Mandya, and Mysore.

In Bangalore over 20 people, including Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha Legislator Vatal Nagaraj, were arrested when they tried to picket before the General Post Office. The activists held mock auction of the Rajya Sabha members from the State including Venkaiah Naidu, M A M Ramaswamy and Rajiv Chandrashekhar for their alleged indifferent attitude on the CWDT verdict.

The Kabini Raitha Hitharakshana Samithi activists led by its President Kurabur Shanthamurthy have started Padayathra from H D Kote to Rajbhavan here.

The proposed statewide bandh on February 12 by various Kannada organisations has received support from various organisations including Merchants Association, Film Chamber of Commerce and Industry., The leaders have appealed to the participants in the agitation to maintain peace during bandh.

UNI