Farmer jumps into canal in front of officials demanding release of water from Hemavathi [VIDEO]
- A farmer jumped into the canal in front of the officials and public demanding Hemavathi water.
- From past 10 days water from Goruru dam was being released into the canal in Tumakuru.
- The officials had directed that the water should not be used for agriculture and were closing all openings.
- When the engineers arrived at Somalapura to close the valve local farmers gathered and protested.
- Farmer Cheluvaraj was fed up with the behaviour of the officials and as everybody watched jumped into the canal.
- The Irrigation Department officials have been taken into custody.
FollowThe agitation demanding release of Hemavathi water for agriculture at Tumakuru district took a serious turn when a farmer jumped into the canal in front of the officials and public on Thursday. Cheluvaraj (35) of Somalapura taluk, Gubbi district, jumped into the canal, reported Kannada Prabha.
The agitation was being held since a week in Tumakauru and two farmers from Mallemahalli, Turuvekere taluk had jumped into canal in protest. Now, another farmer committing suicide by jumping into the canal has added to the farmers anguish.
From past 10 days water from Goruru dam was being released into the canal in Tumakuru. However the officials had directed that the water should not be used for agriculture and were closing all openings in the canal. When the engineers arrived at Somalapura to close the valve local farmers gathered and protested strongly.Â
Altercation between farmers and officials followed. Farmer Cheluvaraj was fed up with the behaviour of the officials and as everybody watched jumped into the canal. As the water was flowing with much force, he was immediately consumed by the river and after drifting for 2 km he died.
The officials and public ran along the canal bank but could not save him. Immediately the officials got 10 staff from firefighting department and boat from Tumakuru and searched till late night but were unable to get his body. Search will be continued on Friday also.
The Irrigation Department officials have been taken into custody. Gubbi MLA S R Srinivas arrived at the spot. A compensation of Rs 5 lakhs has been announced.
The news of Cheluvaraj’s death spread like wild fire and thousands of farmers arrived and held a road block on Sira-Mysuru road. They burnt tyre on the road and demanded that district in charge Minister T B Jayachandra should come to the spot. Â
A Bescom vehicle was damaged in stone throwing. Police vehicles tyres were punctured. Additional police were summoned from Madhugiri, Koratagere and other places. The farmers surrounded the police blocking them. Finally SP Divya Gopinath arrived and held talks with farmers and brought the situation under control.
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