Counter to Jayalalithaa's fast in Mandya

Mandya (Karnataka), Mar 18: The Cauvery agitation in Karnataka has taken a new turn today, with the Cauvery Hitarakshana Samithi, spearheading the stir, embarking on a day-long fast in the district to counter the one undertaken by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in Chennai.

Farmers of Mandya district resorted to rail and road blockade on the Mysore-Bangalore route in protest against Ms Jayalalithaa's fast, demanding immediate gazette notification of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award. Four trains were stopped in several places in the district. Normal traffic went out of gear on the express highway for a few hours, putting passengers to untold hardship on the eve of 'Ugadi' festival.

The 12-hour fast at Silver Jubilee park was led by Samithi President G Made Gowda.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gowda said the agitation would be further intensified if justice was not rendered to Karnataka and urged the State Government to take necessary steps to ensure that the final award was not notified by the Centre at any cost.

Agitations were also held in Mysore against the verdict.

Ever since the Tribunal pronounced its final award on February five last, the Cauvery basin districts of Mandya, Mysore and Chamarajanagara have been witnessing widespread protests. Road blockades, processions, dharnas, public rallies and many innovative forms of protests have become the order of the day in these districts against the ''injustice'' rendered to the State in general and farmers in particular.

UNI