Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Sep 22: Activists from the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KaRaVe), specifically the T. Narayanagowda faction in Udupi district, were apprehended by the police as they attempted to encircle the DC office, urging authorities not to release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu.

KaRaVe had issued a call for protest on Friday against the release of water to Tamil Nadu. The activists argued, "Karnataka is currently grappling with a severe drought, unlike anything witnessed in recent years. Rainfall has been far from normal, with the government declaring 192 out of 236 taluks as drought-stricken. Therefore, it is imperative that the water from the Cauvery river, which is the lifeblood of our state's farmers, should not be diverted to Tamil Nadu."

Upon reaching the entrance of the DC office in Manipal, the police requested that the activists discontinue their protest and disperse. However, the activists disregarded the request and raised slogans against the government. They attempted to advance, even pushing aside the policemen, resulting in a minor altercation.

The police subsequently detained several individuals, including Venkatesh Hegde, Sujay Poojary, Sundar Bangera, Geeta, Jaya, Santhosha, Devaki, Siddanna, Krishna, Jyoti, Lobo, Raghavendra, Pramod, and Jaya. These individuals were taken to the Manipal police station and later released after a few hours.

KaRaVe Udupi activists have cautioned that Karnataka, particularly the Cauvery basin region, is grappling with a severe drought. Releasing water to Tamil Nadu would exacerbate the difficulties faced by the people of Karnataka. They assert that the government should refrain from releasing water and that any defiance of the public's wishes could lead to escalated protests.