Farmers' body to protest for constitution of Cauvery Management Board

The Centre recently sought modification of the SC order on CMB, drawing widespread criticism in Tamil Nadu

Urging the Centre to immediately constitute the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), a farmers' federation on Thursday said it will stage protests, including a two-day rail blockade, to press for its demand.

The federation held an all-party meeting attended by DMK, BJP and MDMK, among others, where it was resolved to stage "continuous" rail blockade on October 17 and 18, urging the Centre to form the CMB.

 

"Normally, we court arrest during rail blockades. But this time, it will be a continuous protest as we will squat on tracks, prepare food and just stay there," convener of the federation, Deivasigamani, said.

Protests such as picketing the Raj Bhavan were also under consideration, he added.

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are locked in a bitter row over sharing of Cauvery river water, with the former approaching the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the upper riparian state to release water.

While asking Karnataka to release water, the apex court had recently directed the Union government to constitute the CMB. But the Centre had later sought modification of the order, drawing widespread criticism in Tamil Nadu.