Mysuru: Following assurance by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, former Member of Parliament and head of Cauvery Hitarakshana Vedike, G Made Gowda withdrew the 20 day-long protest against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, on Saturday.
A day after both Houses of state legislature passed a resolution that Cauvery water would be used only for drinking water purpose by the people in basin region and Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah assured compensation to the farmers. After a brief meeting with the farmers, Made Gowda, said, “I have decided to withdraw agitation following assurance by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that farmers would be compensated for crop loss. Siddaramaiah also assured that farmers who were arrested during the agitation will be released, and cases against them will be dropped,” he said.
Made Gowda commenced the protest on Saturday morning near the statue of the late Sir M Vishveswaraiah in Mandya against apex court’s first order on September 5 for release of 15,000 cusecs water to Tamil Nadu every day. As many as 24 pontiffs of various Maths including Sri Murugarajendra swami, Trinethra Mahantha swami and others also joined him.
The protest intensified when the apex court passed another order to ensure flow of 12,000 cusecs a day till September 20. Protesters blocked Bengaluru-Mysuru highway and several farmers attempted suicide.
