The release of 5,000 cusecs of water each from Kabini and KRS reservoirs to Tamil Nadu on the directions of the Supreme Court late on Saturday night has thrown normal life out of gear in the Cauvery basin as hundreds of people took to the streets on Sunday, demanding the government to stop water discharge.
Farmers, politicians and Kannada activists blocked the busy Bangalore-Mysore Highway by assembling bullock carts and cattle, burning tyres and cooking food on the road. The Karnataka and Tamil Nadu state road transport corporations withdrew bus services between Mysore and Bangalore and in rural areas. The Mysore-Nanjangud Road was also blocked for some time.
However, a KSRTC spokesperson said: “Disruptions and delays were witnessed on Sunday and there were no cancellations. We are monitoring the situation and won’t cancel services on Monday.”
Train services were also disrupted in Srirangapatna and other places. The protesters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Farmers started advancing towards KRS and Kabini and were arrested by the police.
JD(S) leaders, however, gathered near Brindavan Gardens and tried to barge into the reservoir on Saturday night, saying they would jump into the water.
The police arrested MLA Puttaraju and Kannada activist Madesh. Prohibitory orders, promulgated at KRS area on Friday, have been extended to Thursday to ensure the water release is not disrupted.
Meanwhile, Cauvery River Protection Committee chairman G Made Gowda has called a stir at KRS reservoir on Monday, and an indefinite closure of educational institutions.
The Mandya Deputy Commissioner has declared holiday for schools and colleges on Monday. School exams have been postponed. Protests were staged in Mysore and Chamarajanagar. A truck from Tamil Nadu was attacked near RVCE College on Bangalore-Mysore Road in Bangalore on Sunday.
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