The Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada and farmers’ organisations on Saturday over the Mahadayi river water sharing dispute evoked mixed response in the district.
Buses operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private operators did not ply across the district. Cinema halls, hotels and fuel stations remained shut. However, schools, government offices and banks functioned as usual.
The activists of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) took out a protest march in Shivamogga city from Ashoka Circle to the office of the Deputy Commissioner via Amir Ahmed Circle, Gopi Circle and Balaraj Urs Road. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed for sometime enroute the procession.
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Addressing a protest meet on the premises of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Venkatesh, a functionary of KRV, called the decision by the tribunal as unfortunate. Of the 200 tmcft of water that flows through Mahadayi river into the sea, the State is planning to use a mere 7 tmcft of water to meet the drinking water needs of drought-affected regions in Dharwad, Gadag and Belagavi districts, Mr. Venkatesh said, adding that as a riparian State of the river, Karnataka has every right to use its water for agricultural and drinking needs. The Union government should intervene and convene a meeting of the Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra to settle the dispute, he said.
Meanwhile, advocates also staged a demonstration under the aegis of the District Bar Association demanding the early implementation of the Kalasa-Banduri project. Members of the Shivamogga Bus Operators’ Association and Nava Karnataka Yuvashakti also staged separate protests in the city over the issue. Similar protests were held in Bhadravati, Tirthahalli and Sorab towns.