Bandh cripples life in Hosur

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The statewide bandh call given by pro-Kannada movements in neighbouring Karnataka in protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu affected normal life in Hosur.

The pro-Kannada organisations resorted to the agitation due to the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu following the Supreme Court’s order to save the standing crops in the delta districts of the lower riparian state.

The Supreme Court ordered Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs of water every day for 25 days to Tamil Nadu.

The release upset the pro-Kannada movements and political parties in Karnataka, which held the protests.

The protest spread in places like Hubli and Dharwad of Karnataka where there is no use for Cauvery water for them.

Pro-Kannada movements like Kannada Rakshana Vedhike, with the support of political parties, announced a statewide bandh on Saturday.

Transport services between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka via Hosur came to a halt from the early hours of Saturday following the bandh call. Bus services from Hosur to neighbouring Bengaluru were suspended at Zuzuvadi of Tamil Nadu, bordering Karnataka.

Lorries with other state registration, including Tamil Nadu, were not allowed to cross Zuzuvadi check-post to enter the state of Karnataka.

The cadres of Kannada Rakshana Vedhike, during their protest at Attibele of Karnataka and bordering Tamil Nadu, burnt tyres on Chennai-Bengaluru national highway to prevent traffic flow to either state.

They also raised slogans against Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa for her fight against Karnataka to ensure Tamil Nadu its rights over the Cauvery to protect the livelihood of farmers in Tamil Nadu.

Police of Karnataka and Krishnagiri have made elaborate security arrangements in the state border to prevent any untoward incidents.

Water gushes out from KRS to please SC

In an attempt to strengthen its case in the Supreme Court, Karnataka released almost thrice the daily quota of 9,000 cusecs of water of the Cauvery to Tamil Nadu on Saturday.

The authorities at Krishna Raja Sagar dam released 24,000 cusecs as against the apex court’s order of 9,000 cusecs a day till October 15.

It would take 48 hours for water to flow into the measuring station at Biligundlu, ahead of the hearing of the state’s interlocutory application by the apex court on Monday.

“It is the established practice that we wait till the last minute and release water as directed by the apex court. First, it helps us to gauge the mood of agitators and then if water is released in one go, emotions will run high for some time and then subside,” sources in the water resources ministry told Deccan Chronicle.

The sources explained that on Monday, the state’s counsel would inform the apex court that the order has been complied with till date. “This will help us to seek immediate suspension of the court order,” the sources added.

Meanwhile, speaking to media persons after a meeting with the four-member team of officers from New Delhi, led by chief engineer K. C. Jacob here, water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai exuded confidence that the team would submit a report in favour of the state to the Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC).

“We have explained all facts about the crop pattern, water levels in all four reservoirs and drinking water requirements to them (officers from Delhi),” he added.

Replying to a question, Mr Jacob said the team had observed a few problems, and the team would submit all facts to the Union government on October 11.