Mandya: Kannada activist and former MLA Vatal Nagaraj announced that pro-kannada groups will lay siege to KRS Dam on Aug. 26 in protest against the State Government for releasing 15,000 cusecs Cauvery water every day to Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to media persons at Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar Circle here on Thursday, Vatal Nagaraj expressed his anger over the State Government for releasing the water to neighbouring State and accused CM D.K. Shivakumar of dividing the pro-Kannada and Farmer Associations.

“We will continue to protest against the release of water to Tamil Nadu. The State Government has not released water to canals and thousands of lakes have dried up.  Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has allied with Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay. Even our Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is now close to the TN CM. Their friendship is proving to be a threat for our people. If Shivakumar has any respect towards democracy, he must resign immediately,” said Vatal Nagaraj.

Following this, the protesters tried to block the old Bengauru-Mysuru Highway. Pro-Kannada organisations & farmer groups tried to stage a dharna on the Highway when the Policed took them into preventive custody and released them later.

Kannada Sena State President Kumar, District President Manjunath, Parthasarathy, farmer leader Shivalli Chandra, Kammanayakanahalli Manjunath and others took part in the protest.