Life in Gangavati town was affected following a bandh call given by farmers demanding release of water into the left bank main canal of the Tungabhadra dam to enable them take up cultivation. Barring a wordy duel between the supporters of the Congress and the BJP, the bandh passed off peacefully.
The farmers, holding placards demanding release of waters and shouting slogans, squatted on the main road near Channa Basaveshwara Circle to register their protest against the delay in taking a decision to release water into the canals. Leaders of various political parties and swamijis of religious mutts also participated in support of the demand.
Meanwhile, the Congress and the BJP workers entered into a heated argument when the latter raised slogans when Shivaraj Tangadagi MLA and former Minister, came to the venue of the dharna. Mr. Tangadagi said that he would come whenever and wherever farmers faced problems and told the BJP leaders not to unnecessarily politicise the issue before leaving the place.
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Anoop Shetty, Superintendent of Police, intervened and prevented the situation from going out of control.
Kalmath Kotttur Swamiji, in his address, said that none should politicise issues pertaining to farmers and suggested to all that they eschew groupism. “If people had to live happily, farmers should be happy,” he said.
Nagabhushan Swamiji of Hebbal said that the dam was constructed for farmers and steps should be taken to release water to the fields and stop allocating water to industries.
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Rudresh Ghali, Additional Deputy Commissioner, said that the storage in the dam was low owing to scanty rainfall. He said that the Irrigation Consultative Committee had decided to release water for light-irrigated crops and the dates may be announced in a week. When farmers insisted that water should be released, he received a memorandum and left.
Several leaders, including S. Shivaramegowda, H.R. Srinath, Paranna Munwalli, Thipperudraswami, spoke.
Narayanappa Naik, G. Veerappa, former legislator, Sharanegouda Patil, president, Gangavati Bar Association, Gonal Amaresh, were among those who participated in the dharna.
In Ballari, farmers, under the banner of Raitha Krishi Koolikarara Sangha, staged a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office demanding release of water into the right bank high and low level canals to take up agricultural activities.