Tumakuru, 31 May 

Protesters took to the streets to oppose the Hemavathi Express Link Canal Project near Gubbi in Tumukaru. Farmer organisations, Opposition BJP and JD(S) leaders alike boycotted the Rs 1,000 crore for the project

Prohibitory orders were imposed in a 10km radius where work is underway till 6 am today.

MLAs B Suresh Gowda, GB Jyothi Ganesh and MT Krishnappa participated in the protest.

Speaking to reporters here, Gowda said that the Deputy Commissioner spoke to them and agreed to stop the work and shift the working machines.

"We have given a month's time. Today our farmers have shown a sample. Today, just on a call given, farmers gathered from across Tumakuru and expressed their anger through a padayatra (march) by violating the prohibitory orders," he said.

Farmers approached the canal work but were requested by the Superintendent of Police not to take law into their hands. Respecting the law, we adopted a peaceful approach. If the government again decides to go ahead, they will face strong protest, he warned.

The BJP MLA urged the government to convene an all-party meeting immediately and stop the work.

District-in-charge minister G Parameshwara said the protest were nothing but politics.

"When we attempted to begin the work three months ago, BJP opposed it calling it unscientific, subsequently a meeting was held under the leadership of Irrigation Minister and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar where BJP and JD(S) MLAs were present. It was decided in the meeting to form a technical committee and seek their opinion on feasibility before taking a decision," he told reporters in City.

It was based on the technical committee report that the work started, Parameshwara said, "They are again protesting to stop the work, we will talk to them and continue."

Despite assurances from the Deputy CM that it will in no way affect Tumakuru, if they protest one should understand what their intention is, Parameshwara added.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, all the MLAs including Krishnappa and Suresh Gowda are aware of facts but still they are protesting.

"People there also are our own, we will protect the interest of everyone," he said. -PTI 

Blurb:

District-in-charge minister G Parameshwara said the protest were engaging in nothing but politics. ‘When we attempted to begin the work three months ago, BJP opposed it calling it unscientific, subsequently a meeting was held under the leadership of Irrigation Minister and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar where BJP and JD(S) MLAs were present. It was decided in the meeting to form a technical committee… upon which a decision was taken…. But they are again protesting’