Bid to Break Storage Wall

Officials and farmers of Jamakhandi taluk made a vain attempt to break a mud wall constructed across Krishna river near Zunjarwad village between Athani taluk in Belgaum and Jamakhandi taluk in Bagalkot districts on Sunday.

Officials and farmers of Jamakhandi taluk made a vain attempt to break a mud wall constructed across Krishna river near Zunjarwad village between Athani taluk in Belgaum and Jamakhandi taluk in Bagalkot districts on Sunday.

 The three-foot wall was constructed across the river to store water under a multi-village drinking water scheme.

According to sources, officials of Jamakhandi taluk along with a few people who came with earth moving machines like JCBs, allegedly tried to break the wall around 3.30 am.

Nearby people who woke up with the noise, rushed to the venue and threw stones at them, forcing them to flee leaving behind an earth mover.

People from Zunjarwad, Nandgoan, Savadi and Shirahatti staged a protest at the spot.

Athani tahsildar Aparna Pavate, Chikkodi Assistant Commissioner Rudresh Ghali and Circle Inspector Subedhar rushed to the spot and found the wall was partially damaged.

 They informed Bagalkot Assistant Commissioner Ashok Dandigond. Bagalkot tahsildar A C Adale also arrived and held a meeting with officials and the agitating villagers.

Villagers A C Patil, Raosaheb Sankonatti and Sheetal Patil said the officials with the help of JCB machines were trying to break the mud wall and ran away when they pelted stones at them.

However, Bagalkot tahsildar A C Adale denied that he was in the gang which tried to break the wall.

Athani tahsildar Aparna said 6,000 cusecs of water is being released to Jamakhandi taluk everyday from Krishna river.

The water is utilised to supply water to 16 villages in Athani taluk under a multi-village drinking water scheme.

Deputy Commissioner N Jayaram said no additional water will be released to Bagalkot district until the next rainy season.

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