Cauvery row: Karnataka to challenge Cauvery order in SC

Terming the Cauvery Supervisory Committee order to release 3,000 cusecs of water a day to Tamil Nadu between September 21 and September 30 as "disappointing" and a "blow", Karnataka government today said it would challenge the decision in the Supreme Courttomorrow.

"The decision of the committee is disappointing to us, tomorrow we are challenging it in the Supreme Court...the Supervisory committee's decision is another blow to the state," Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters here.

"We are repeatedly facing injustice, Chief Minister and the Cabinet will decide on next course of action to be taken," he said.

"...if the judgements that are coming out are causing injustice to us repeatedly, our state government will have to  take some decision," he said.

As Karnataka and Tamil Nadu failed to reach an agreement on the quantum of water to be released, Union Water Resources Secretary and Chairman of the Committee Shashi Shekhar today directed Karnataka to release 3000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu fromSeptember 21 to 30.

Soon after the development, sporadic protests were reported from different places, especially in Mandya district, the epicentre of the Cauvery agitation, where protesters blocked the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.

Following today's order and with the issue again coming up before the Supreme Court tomorrow, elaborate security arrangements have been made by the state government.

Parameshwara, who chaired the meeting of senior police  and Home Ministry officials said, "We have discussed security arrangements to be made to prevent any untoward incidents, they (police officials) will do necessary arrangements."

Chief Minister Siddaramaih also chaired a meeting in which the Home Minister, DGP Omprakash, City Police Commissioner NS Megharikh and other senior officials were present.

To ensure that no untoward incident occurs, senior police officials said 15,000 police personnel along with Karnataka State Reserve Police, City Armed Reserve Police, Rapid Action Force as well as Quick Reaction Teams have been deployed all over city.

Issuing a warning against rumour mongering, officials said prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC would be in place in the city till September 25.

Authorities have also prohibited sale of liquor and opening of bars, wine shops and pubs from 6 am to 1 am tomorrow in the commissioner limits.