Protests continue as Karnataka releases Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu

Complying with the Supreme Court direction, the state government on Tuesday released Cauvery water and will do so for the next 10 days

Complying with a Supreme Court directive, the Karnataka government on Tuesday released water from the Cauvery to Tamil Nadu and will continue to do so for the next 10 days.

After an all-party meeting on the issue, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Tuesday evening that a decision had been taken that the state will release water as directed by the apex court.

He also said the state would approach the Supreme Court with a modification petition explaining its difficulties in implementing the court order, directing release of 15,000 cusecs per day to Tamil Nadu for next ten days.

He said they would seek change in it and also move the Cauvery Supervisory Committee.

Siddaramaiah added that all efforts would be made to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and other places as also for crops.

He appealed to farmers to maintain peace and tranquillity and not to cause any damage to public property.

Meanwhile, in Mandya, agitated farmers and activists belonging to pro-Kannada outfits have blocked Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway.

Tamil Nadu had moved court after Karnataka released far less water this year than was decided in 2007 by a court-appointed tribunal.

Meanwhile, TB Jaychandra, Karnataka Law Minister, has appealed to the public not to take law and order in their hands and to maintain peace.

"We know that the Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. We have to oblige to their orders. My appeal to public is not to resort to agitation and keep calm. They should cooperate with the state government," Jaychandra told ANI.

The apex court on Monday, directed the Karnataka government to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers.

The apex court also directed Tamil Nadu to approach the supervisory committee within three days for the release of Cauvery water as per the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's (CWDT).