Cauvery Conflict: JD(S) MLAs resign, farmers protest

Bangalore, Oct 1: It is not only Andhra Pradesh which is burning due to large-scale violence that has erupted after demand for a separate Telangana state has been raised once again by Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC), but the situation in neighbouring state -

has also taken a serious turn after farmers staged

rallies against the release of water from

river to

on Monday, Oct 1.

According to reports, farmer groups have blocked the Bangalore-Mysore national highway as a mark of protest against the Supreme Court order to release 9,000 cusecs of water from the river to Tamil Nadu. As per the Supreme Court order, Karnataka has to release water from Cauvery to its neighbouring state daily till Oct 15.

Even vehicular movements and train services between Bangalore and Mysore have been disrupted due to protests in Karnataka over Cauvery issue.

Four Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs and one MP from Mandya have sent their resignations to party leader HD Kumaraswamy in protest against release of water.

After JD(S) leaders tendered their resignations over Cauvery issue, HD Kumaraswamy said, JD(S) President HD Devegowda will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the matter. "He will request him to reconsider his order," added Kumaraswamy.

To maintain law and order situation in the state, government has deployed three Rapid Action Force (RAF) companies in Bangalore.

Karnataka on Sunday has began releasing water from Krishna Raja Sagar and Kabini dams to ensure flow of 9,000 cusecs of water to the neighbouring state.

Police said about 100 people were taken into custody when they squatted on the tracks and detained the Mysore-Shiradi express at Gejjalagere village.

In Mysore, activists of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar had told reporters on Sunday that it was "inevitable" for the government to release water to comply with the Apex Court order but that the state was committed to protect the interests of farmers.

He had also said the state would file a petition before the Supreme Court, seeking a review of its order asking the state to honour the Cauvery River Authority directive to release 9,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu till Oct 15.

Karnataka has already urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also the CRA Chairman, to review its Sept 19 order and keep it in abeyance till the decision was reviewed.

OneIndia News
(With inputs from PTI)