Even as the state faced massive protest against the Supreme Court order, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday evening said that his government will release more Cauvery river water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, reports said.
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Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, whose government has been expressing its inability to release water to Tamil Nadu citing poor storage, would hold a meeting with floor leaders of all parties in the state legislature, MPs and district-in charge ministers today evening to take stock of the situation.
Karnataka state cable TV operators association has also chose to not air Tamil TV channels in the state on Friday. He requested to farmers to maintain tranquillity and peace in the state and not cause any damage to public and private property of the state.
The court order directed an immediate backlash with agitated farmers and activists belonging to pro-Kannada outfits blocking the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway.
The protesters ransacked the Mandya district Congress office because they felt the ruling party didn’t do enough to convince the Supreme Court of the water woes the state’s farmers were facing.
September 9: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to call a meeting of the state Chief Ministers to resolve the ongoing protest in the state over the Cauvery water dispute. The newspaper distributors have extended support to the protest and stopped the supply of Tamil newspaper.
Complying with the Supreme Court direction, the state government yesterday chose to release water despite “severe hardships”.
The day-long protest is being spearheaded by as many as 500 pro-Kannada organisations, which represent sections including farmers, traders and businesses, and has the tacit support of the state government.
Tamil Nadu had moved court after Karnataka released far less water this year than was decided in 2007 by a court-appointed tribunal.
Normal life in several parts of Karnataka, including state capital Bengaluru, was affected due to complete shutdown today.
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“In order to have smooth release of water there should be Cauvery Management Board (CMB) but it may take time”. They also asked the state irrigation minister M B Patil to own responsibility for not protecting the interests of the state while handling the Mahadayi and Cauvery row.
