Suicide bid, protest, defiance: Mandya tense

Mysuru: Authorities at KRS and Kabini dams did not release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu on Friday in view of a resolution adopted by the state legislature, but members of Cauvery Hitharakshana Vedike, led by G Made Gowda, vowed to continue their protests till the state government announces a compensation of Rs 25, 000 an acre for loss of crops in the region.

Mr Made Gowda declared: “The state government has resolved to defer release of water after all available water has flown to Tamil Nadu. We will not ask water for irrigation because we know that there is no water. We will not stop our protest till the Government announces compensation of Rs 25,000 an acre for crop loss.”

Farmers’ leader Kurbur Shanthakumar said: “If the state government had taken this step soon after the first order of the Supreme Court on September 5, our farmers would have had some water for irrigation. We, however, welcome the move as they (leaders) have resolved that water will be used for drinking in the region, but will continue our agitation against creation of Cauvery Water Management Board. We will hold a mega convention of farmers, and adopt a resolution against formation of the Board, and send copies of the resolution to the President,  PM, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.”

Meanwhile, tension was palpable in Mandya as Yogesh, a farmer  climbed a tree and threatened to hang himself. He was rescued by fire force personnel.

Besides, policemen stopped more than 200 advocates of Mandya when they were all set to board four buses to go to Bengaluru and extend support to the CM.

BJP MP, Pratap Simha, was quizzed by activists when he joined the protest in Mandya, on why he was mum so far on the state’s dispute with TN. Mr Simha promised that MPs would convince PM Narendra Modi to intervene.