While the delta farmers claim that the 12-tmc of water ordered to be released to Tamil Nadu by the Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) would be insufficient to save the standing crops, they are more sceptical about the implementation of the directive by the Karnataka government.
Mannargudi S Ranganathan, secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, said the question remains as to what extent the Karnataka government would obey the order.
“The members of the CMC should visit the two States and assess the water availability. Last time, they visited only during October,” he added. During the visit, they could take into confidence, the Chief Ministers of both the States, he said.
K Balakrishnan, MLA and State president, All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), affiliated to the CPM, said the quantum ordered by the CMC was not sufficient to sustain the samba crops.
“We need water till January 15th. For this, the Karnataka should at least release 25-tmc to TN,” he added.
Meanwhile, around 5,800 people were arrested as protests erupted across the delta. Of these, 2,510 arrests — including two MLAs — were made in Thanjavur as protestors blocked buses and trains at around 73 places, demanding the release of Cauvery water for saving the standing samba crops.
Two trains — the Tiruchy-Chennai Cholan Express and the Mayiladuthurai-Tirunelveli passenger — were blocked at the Thanjavur Railway Junction, the Kumbakonam station as well as the Papanasam railway station. Most of the commercial establishments also shut shop in Thanjavur.
Similarly, road and rail rokos marked the stir called by the farmers’ associations in Tiruvarur. Around 3,350 protestors were arrested there.