Agitation against Cauvery verdict continues in K'taka

Mysore, Feb 19 (UNI) Blocking road and rail traffic, dharnas, fasts and processions marked the agitation by farmers and various outfits against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in the Cauvery basin districts of Mandya, Mysore and Chamarajanagar, today.

In Mandya district, vegetable merchants blocked the Mysore-Tuticorin train for 30 minutes at Mandya. The highway between Bangalore and Mysore continued to be blocked at Shivapura, Gejjalagere, Hanakere and other places. However, the KSRTC bus services were not affected.

The relay hunger stike by the Cauvery Hitarakshana Samithi continued at Silver Jubilee park, with Kanakapura MP Tejaswini Ramesh and former Minister B T Lalitha Nayak participating.

Vegetable merchants observed a bandh in Mandya.

Meanwhile, actor-turned-politician and Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting M H Ambareesh, representing Mandya in Parliament, announced his decision to join the agitation on February 23 and participate in a rally at Mandya stadium. When Congress leaders and his fans met him in Bangalore today, asking him to take the lead in the agitation, he clarified that he would not withdraw his resignation as Union Minister and MP despite pressure from various quarters.

In Mysore city, various organisations took out a protest march. Thousands of Christians, headed by Bishop Rev Dr Thomas A Vazhapilly marched in the city and extended support to the stir. The staff and management of the Mysore Race Club, led by its Chairman N M Srinivas, took out a protest march. Students took out a procession and held meditation for some time at K R Circle in the heart of the city.

In Chamarajanagara district, BJP leaders took out a procession with empty pots and burnt an effigy of the Tribunal. At Gundlupet, thousands of students of JSS institutions took out a procession, shouting slogans against the verdict.

No untoward incident was reported from any part of the three districts, police said.

UNI