Cauvery row: All eyes on SC as Karnataka challenges release of water to TN

Bengaluru, Sept 20: Clearly unhappy with the order of the Cauvery Supervisory Committee which ordered Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka would challenge the same in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

There is palpable tension in Karnataka following the order of the committee which has led the administration to take several measures to ensure that law and order is not compromised.

Karnataka's Home Minister, Dr. G Parameshwar has termed the order as a blow and disappointing. If we repeatedly face injustice, then the Cabinet will decide on the next course of action, he also said.

In Mandya district, which is the epicentre of the protests, holiday has been declared in schools and colleges. Prohibitory orders have been issued in 5 taluks of the district.

Karnataka while challenging the order of the committee would also pin its hopes on the Special Leave Petition that it has filed challenging the award of the Cauvery Waters Tribunal. The SLP is expected to come up in the second week of October.

On Tuesday, before the Supreme Court, Karnataka would say that it has already released nearly 1.60 lakh TMC of water to Tamil Nadu. Releasing more water will not be possible since the state is clearly falling short of drinking water.

At the meeting of the committee both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka failed to reach an agreement on the quantum of water that had to be released. This led to the Union Water Secretary who presided over the committee directing Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu from September 21 to 30.

Karnataka, meanwhile, has stepped up security across the state. Liquor shops have been ordered to be closed on September 20 and 21 as a precautionary measure. 15,000 police personnel along with Karnataka State Reserve Police, City Armed Reserve Police, Rapid Action Force as well as Quick Reaction Teams have been deployed all over city.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC would be in place in the city till September 25.

OneIndia News