Karnataka-TN Cauvery Dispute: Bandh, Protests to Hit Bangalore

India's main IT hub, Bangalore, is all set to face a series of protests this week over the state government's approval to release Cauvery water into the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.

A series of protests has been planned on Thursday and Friday, and protestors also decided to host a state-wide Bandh on Saturday. The railway service is already affected between Bangalore and Mysore due to the protests.

Many travellers are left in the lurch at the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu borders, as hordes of vehicles were unable to cross the border lines, reports said.

The protesters besieged Krishna Raja Sagar lake near Mysore on Wednesday, and many activists including lawyers observed protests in Bangalore.

Reports said that Bangalore Tamil Sangam members have sided with the protesting farmers in Karnataka and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar to ensure justice for state farmers.

In their demand for the government to halt the flow of Cauvery waters into Tamil Nadu, Karnataka activist parties said the state farmers are already in distress and the release of water would further add to their difficulties in watering the standing crops.

Last month, the BJP-run state government complied with the Supreme Court order that allowed the flow of Cauvery from Krishna Raja Sagar and Kabini dams to make sure that up to 9,000 cusecs of water goes to Tamil Nadu on daily basis.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said on Sunday that the opening up of dams for Tamil Nadu was "inevitable" as the order was given by the Supreme Court.