Mysore/Mysuru: Activists of Cauvery Kriya Samiti staged a protest near the toll-gate in the forest area near Mekedatu in Ramanagar district on Saturday, demanding a permanent solution for Cauvery and Mekedatu water disputes. The protesters raised slogans- Namma Cauvery, Namma Hakku, Karnatakada Hakku.

Speaking during the protest, Samiti President Jayaprakash (JP) said “Union Ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy, Nirmala Sitharaman, Pralhad Joshi, V. Somanna and Shobha Karandlaje, who represent the State at the Centre, should make honest efforts towards rendering justice to the State, in solving Cauvery water dispute and start Balancing Reservoir Project at Mekedatu.”

The State leaders must prioritise people’s welfare keeping aside their personal interests. Instead of regretting after stepping down from power, they should work towards solving disputes surrounding Cauvery river and reservoir at Mekedatu and pay back what they owe to the people of the State, demanded JP.

Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal said “The State Government should act responsibly in the matter of Cauvery water dispute and the Government should not mete out injustice to the land, by releasing water from Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) reservoir to Tamil Nadu.”

Samiti General Convener Mugur Nanjundaswamy, farmer leader Sampath Kumar, Cauvery Kriya Samiti Secretary Tejas Lokesh Gowda, Devaraj and Najeebulla also addressed the protesters.