Mandya: With inadequate rainfall and dry irrigation canals threatening standing crops, farmers in Mandya district staged a sit-in protest at the office of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigama on Monday, demanding the immediate release of water from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir to save their crops.Claiming that drought-like conditions have already gripped the district despite it being only June, the agitating farmers said sugarcane and several other crops are withering due to the acute shortage of irrigation water. They urged the govt to release water into the canals without further delay to prevent heavy crop losses. In a symbolic expression of their protest, the farmers cooked meals at the demonstration site, accusing the govt and officials of ignoring the plight of farmers. They alleged that elected representatives have failed to respond to repeated appeals despite the worsening situation in the fields.The protesters pointed out that in previous years, irrigation water was released even when the water level in the KRS reservoir was around 70 feet. They questioned why a similar decision was not being taken now when thousands of farmers were struggling to protect their standing crops.Warning the govt against further delay, the farmers said their livelihoods were at stake and urged the authorities to take immediate steps to release water into the canals. They cautioned that if the govt failed to respond to their demands, the farming community would intensify its agitation across the state.The protesters also appealed to local MLAs and the state govt to intervene immediately, stating that timely release of irrigation water was essential to safeguard crops and prevent severe financial hardship for farmers.
