The always-bustling historical Brindavan Gardens fell silent as water from the Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir (KRS) flowed into Tamil Nadu on Sunday. However, tension prevailed in the vicinity of KRS.
In order to implement the recommendations of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA), officials of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) opened the crest gates of KRS at midnight on Saturday.
While the footfalls at the historical gardens have dried up due to the fear of protests by citizens of Mandya, residents of Kannambadi are living in fear of untoward incidents due to release of water.
Pre-planned
The residents of Kannambadi village, the area attached to the reservoir, termed the “midnight operation” of CNNL as pre-planned. They suspected that the district administration on Saturday decided to release the water. Members of Mandya Zilla Raitha Hitharakshana Samiti (MZRHS) too alleged the same.
On Saturday noon itself, senior officials from the Mandya district administration visited the KRS reservoir, K. Mahesh Kumar, resident of Kannambadi said. Soon after the visit, senior police officials too visited the reservoir. Hours after the visit, heavy posse of police force was deployed in the vicinity of KRS reservoir, he said.
Prohibitory orders
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar had promised the farmers of not releasing water to Tamil Nadu. However, in the midnight, when most of the farmers were fast asleep, his government started to release water to Tamil Nadu, most of the Kannambadi residents said.
“Soon after the Mandya Zilla Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti members decided to take over the reservoir, the Mandya district administration clamped prohibitory orders in the surroundings of KRS,” Thammegowda, a senior member of Mandya District Kurubara Sangha, told The Hindu here on Sunday.
Fortress
Meanwhile, the historical KRS reservoir and Brindvan Gardens has been turned into fortresses with a good number of police personnel forming a multi-tier security cordon.
While police teams have been deployed at various places, including near the entrance and the bridge, barricades have been erected on the connecting roads to prevent any intrusion.Two Deputy Superintendents of Police, under the supervision of Mandya Superintendent of Police Koushalendra Kumar, are monitoring the situation.
Closed
The Brindavan Gardens, which attracts a large number of visitors, will remain closed ill October 1 as the prohibitory orders are in force.
