Cauvery water row: Karnataka Bandh tomorrow

Barbed wire barricades, CCTV cameras installed

Mysuru: In view of the ongoing protests in Mandya over the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, security has been tightened around the KRS reservoir in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district ahead of the proposed Karnataka Bandh tomorrow.

The heightened security measures follow the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) order directing Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from the Cauvery basin reservoirs.

CCTV cameras have been installed at vantage points around the KRS dam to monitor the movement of protesters during the proposed bandh.

Barricades have also been reinforced and wrapped with barbed wire to prevent protesters from crossing them.

Additional Police personnel have already been deployed around the reservoir, with more personnel expected to be stationed at the dam early tomorrow morning as a precautionary measure.

The authorities have restricted entry through the main entrance of the KRS dam by erecting barricades to prevent any disruption by demonstrators.

However, Assistant Executive Engineer Shwetha said the security arrangements would not affect tourists visiting the reservoir. Visitors are being allowed to enter through the South Gate, she said.

Meanwhile, addressing concerns over water management, Shwetha said no official directive or order had so far been received from the State Government regarding the release of water from the KRS reservoir.