Protests over the release of water to Tamil Nadu continued across the district on Friday with farmers and members of various organisations blocking major roads besides taking out protest rallies to show their disapproval of the Cauvery River Authority’s (CRA) recommendation to release water.
Meanwhile, Mandya Zilla Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti president and former MP G. Made Gowda, who is staging indefinite fast from Thursday, urged Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar to stop water release immediately.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Gowda suggested that the people intensify the protests across the State if the government did not stop releasing water. Doctors at the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), who examined Mr. Gowda on Friday, suggested that he give up the protest in view of his age.
More than 3,000 farmers and members of various associations participated in the “continuous protests” being organised by the samiti near Sir M. Visvesvaraya statue off Bangalore-Mysore Highway near Kallahalli.
Effigies burnt
The protesters, across the district, burnt effigies of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and raised slogans against them. The protesters demanded that the State government resign and work for the welfare of farmers.
While vehicular movement between Bangalore and Mysore was disrupted by roadblocks, train services were normal.
