Protests erupt in Karnataka over Cauvery water release order to Tamil Nadu, Kannada groups warn of bandh

Protests have intensified across Karnataka after authorities directed the state to release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu. Kannada organisations, farmers and activists have taken to the streets in several districts, opposing the decision and warning of a statewide bandh if the order is not reconsidered. A torchlight protest was held in Ramanagara district of Bengaluru South by members of a faction of the Kannada Rakshana Vedike (KRV), led by Praveen Shetty. Demonstrators termed the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's directive "unscientific" and demanded that Karnataka should not release water to Tamil Nadu amid concerns over the state's own water availability. https://ift.tt/bkiRpnK