Tiruchirappalli: Burying themselves neck-deep in sand on the banks of the Cauvery, farmers in Tamil Nadu staged a dramatic protest demanding the immediate release of river water from Karnataka for irrigation, accusing the neighbouring state of denying them their rightful share and jeopardising the Kuruvai crop.The protest was led by Farmers’ Association leader Ayya Kannu, who said repeated appeals to release Cauvery water had gone unanswered despite the state’s dependence on it for cultivation.The protesting farmers alleged that Karnataka was treating Tamil Nadu as a “drainage state” by releasing only excess water instead of the share allocated to it. They also reiterated their opposition to Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project, arguing that it would further reduce downstream water availability.Addressing the gathering, Kannu urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay to move the Supreme Court seeking Rs 1 lakh crore in compensation for the state’s farmers.“The Supreme Court of India gave directions to the Karnataka government to release water to Tamil Nadu every month. So far, more than 80 TMC of water is in Karnataka. Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar refused to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. The day before yesterday, there was heavy rain in Kerala. Due to that, the water came to Tamil Nadu. We can direct it to the Bhavanisagar Dam, but the politicians here have not taken any steps,” he said.“If they do not release the water, they will cause damage in Karnataka. Now they are releasing 25,000 cusecs of water to save their people and state. Our CM, Joseph Vijay, must file a suit in the Supreme Court demanding Rs 1 lakh crore from Karnataka. They must give it to the farmers,” he added.Earlier in the day, BJP state secretary Vinoj P Selvam criticised the Tamil Nadu government, alleging that it had failed to safeguard the state’s water rights or protect the interests of farmers in the Cauvery delta.Selvam said, “It is very disheartening that the TVK government has not taken any steps to ensure that the rights of the Tamil people are being justified, that the water from Karnataka gets released immediately, and that the farmers of the Delta region receive the good news that the water is reaching them anytime soon.”He further alleged that the state government’s priorities were misplaced.“But unfortunately, the Chief Minister is busy making drone shots and red carpet welcomes. The farmers need water, and we need to ensure that the water security of the state is not compromised at any cost,” he said.The Cauvery dispute is a long-running inter-state river water-sharing conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, centring on the allocation of Cauvery waters, particularly during years of deficient rainfall.The issue has resurfaced amid renewed focus on Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, which Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed, arguing that it could affect downstream water flow and irrigation in the state.(With ANI inp)
