SC order to release more water disappoints Karnataka

Expressing disappointment over the Supreme Court's Tuesday order to release more Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the directive was a great injustice to the state.

"The Supreme Court's latest directive is most disappointing. We don't know why Karnataka is at the receiving end when it comes to river waters. The court has not considered our sincerity but again directed (us) to release more water (6,000 cusecs) daily for another week, which is impossible," Parameshwara told reporters here.

A division bench of the apex court ordered the state to release 6,000 cusecs per day from Wednesday for a week till September 27, doubling the quantum (3,000 cusecs) fixed by its appointed Cauvery Supervisory Committee on Monday for 10 days till September 30.

As a result, Karnataka has to release 42,000 cusecs in seven days or 12,000 cusecs more than 30,000 cusecs the panel directed to release in 10 days.

"The state cabinet will decide tomorrow (Wednesday) on the future course of action. The chief minister (Siddaramaiah) is consulting his cabinet colleagues, party's senior leaders and legal experts," said Parameshwara.

The top court's fresh directive comes into force a day after the state completed releasing 12,000 cusecs daily on Tuesday as per its September 12 order, which is a modification of its September 5 order to release 15,000 cusecs daily for 10 days from September 7.

Appealing to the people to maintain peace and not to take law into hands, the minister said the state government was with them in this hour of distress and would do everything to protect the state's interests.

Following the apex court's order, security has been intensified and vigil stepped up across the state, especially in the river basin to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident.

"About 15,000 police personnel, three companies of the Rapid Action Force, 4,000 Home Guards and a battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Security Force have been deployed," said Bengaluru Police Commissioner N.S. Megharik.

Police have also installed more cameras at vital installations and sensitive areas to keep track of mischief makers and anti-social elements.

"Our forces conducted flag march in sensitive localities and more populated areas in the city to instill confidence in the people and warn miscreants against provocative acts," reiterated Megharikh.

Inter-state bus services to Tamil Nadu continue to remain disrupted in view of the prevailing situation in the border areas, causing inconvenience to thousands of commuters in both states.

Vehicular movement between Bengaluru and Mysuru was also affected during the day due to protests by farmers, traders and youth against the orders of the court and the panel.

Police also issued prohibitory orders in the Cauvery basin areas as a precautionary measure.

--IANS

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