Cauvery row: KRV men try to lay siege to Doordarshan Kendra

The Praveen Shetty faction of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV)  on Friday staged demonstrations at various parts of the city to protest against the raw deal meted out to the state regarding Cauvery river water issue.

They held demonstrations at JC Nagar, Chickpet and Mysore Road. At JC Nagar they even tried to lay siege of Doordarshan Kendra.

Around 250 KRV activists began a procession from Sanjaynagar and reached Doordarshan Kendra in JC Nagar, via Mekri Circle, Ganganagar and RT Nagar. They blocked the Mathadhahalli Main Road in front of Dooradarshan Kendra and demonstrated for  more than 30 minutes. They shouted slogans against the state and central government.

The protesters tried to lay siege on Doordarshan Kendra, but were thwarted by the police. Doordarshan director Mahesh Joshi met the  protesters and received their memorandum. The protesters also burnt an effigy of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa before dispersing.

Praveen Shetty said, “Cauvery issue has become a big headache, with both the central and state government not finding a permanent solution. Cauvery River Authority (CRA) chief prime minister Manmohan Singh has taken a wrongful decision and meted out step-motherly treatment to Karnataka.”

He also attacked central ministers, who hail from Karnataka, for not raising their voice against this injustice. They are too preoccupied with their political career, he lamented.

Later around 2.30 pm, KRV activists reached Chickpet and forcibly closed down shops. They also took out a procession and headed towards Goripalya on Mysore Road and blocked the road for more than 30 minutes. Shetty said, “Muslim brothers, after offering Friday namaz, joined us in protests.”

Around 5.30 pm they reached Nagarbhavi Circle near Moodalpalya and blocked the road and staged demonstration.