Stree Shakti, SHGs extend support to Cauvery agitation

Mysore, Apr 16 (UNI) Hundreds of women activists of the Federation of Shimoga district Stree Shakti and Self Help Groups took out a massive rally in the city, expressing solidarity with the farmers protesting against the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal for the 71st day today.

The activists, led by Federation President Dakamma, passed through the main thoroughfares of the city, formed a human chain at K R Circle and staged a dharna for some time. Members of the Cauvery Kriya Samithi and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha also joined them in the dharna.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Dakamma demanded the resignation of all MPs and MLAs from the State to pressurise the Centre to render justice to the State.

KRRS President K S Puttanaiah condemned the statement of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda that the protests would not fetch results and the row could be solved only through legal means and said that instead of supporting the ryots, the senior politician was demoralising them.

However, he said the decade-old dispute could be resolved only through mutual talks with the Tamil Nadu Government.

In Mandya district, farmers of Hullahalli and Jayapura staged a protest and detained the Mysore-Bangalore special train for some time at Mandya station. Later, they staged a dharna at Silver Jubilee park. Such dharnas were also staged at Maddur, Srirangapatna and Pandavapura in Mandya district.

UNI