Novel protests against Cauvery award

Mysore, Mar 14 (UNI) Agitation in all forms were staged against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in the Cauvery basin districts of Mandya, Mysore and Chamarajanagar. Though a majority of the protests were conventional processions, a few have left an indelible impression on the minds of the public owing to their sheer novelty.

The Prathidhwani Yuva Vidyarthi Vedike today took out a protest march in the city, with country boats placed on five bullock carts with a message that there would be no water even to set boats to sail, if the verdict was implemented.

Former Mayors, led by Mr P Vishwanath, staged a demonstration against the verdict and urged the President and Prime Minister to intervene and solve the dispute.

Vendors atop Chamundi Hills observed a complete bandh. They took out a procession from the hills to the Deputy Commissioner's office and submitted a memorandum to the official.

In Mandya, the Cauvery Hitarakshana Samithi, which had been spearheading the agitation, decided to intensify the stir by holding dharnas and protests in all villages from March 18. The Samithi would shortly give a call to the farmers to launch a non-cooperation movement by refusing to pay taxes to the Government, its President G Made Gowda announced.

Meanwhile, dharnas and protests continued at Mandya, Maddur, Srirangapatna and Pandavapura in the district.

UNI