Title - Rail traffic disrupted on Day-2 of Cauvery agitation

MYSORE/MANDYA: The agitation in the Cauvery belt seeking the state government to stop flow of water to Tamil Nadu intensified with rail traffic disrupted. At least two agitators tried to commit suicide, which were foiled by the cops.

A company of BSF, the paramilitary force, has now been stationed at Mandya while another is at Kabini dam site. The RPF too has arrived in the hotbed of agitation, which spread to Mandya hinterland with many semi-urban areas observing bandh. Senior Congressman Ambareesh joined the agitation, which has now entered 18 thday, in a sign of intensification of protests. The Mandya Zilla Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti has called the farmers to lay siege to KRS dam on October 3 when jail bharo will also be launched. A meeting of religious leaders is convened at Bangalore on Tuesday which will chalk out future course of action.

Police are keeping a tight vigil in Mandya and border areas and provided escorts to trucks crossing over to TN in Chamarajnagar district. The water released is expected to reach Biligundlu gauging point on Tuesday.

At Gejjalagere near Mandya when the cops arrested farmers' leader Sunanda Jayaram, an angry Raghavendra, 38, tried to commit suicide, which was foiled by the cops. Pro-Kannada activist Madesh climbed up to the top of DC office in Mysore and threatened to jump. He was later persuaded by the police to climb down.

The Day-2 of the agitation threw rail traffic out of gear with agitators squatting on the rails at many places in Mandya district. Consequently, four Bangalore-bound trains were cancelled and many trains were delayed. The Mysore-Chennai Shatabdi Express was cancelled between Mysore and Bangalore. The Chamundi Express that left Mysore at 6.40 am was detained at Maddur forcing it to return. Sensing trouble, the Mysore division officials cancelled four trains on Mysore-Bangalore sector. They also cancelled two trains on Mysore-Chamarajnagar sector. The train services resumed at 6.45 pm when Mysore-Maliyadu Thurai Express left Mysore railway station. It was scheduled to depart at 3.45 pm. "The train services are now back to normal. Some trains are running late," Mysore divisional commercial manager V Sudhakar Naik told The Times of India. The agitators detained the trains and there are no damages to the railway property, he stated.

The police do not want to precipitate the matter taking tough action. They tried to convince the agitators not to affect the rail traffic. "We are trying to persuade them not to disrupt normal life. But still train traffic were affected," said Southern Range IGP K Ramachandra Rao adding that the situation is under control. He said the cops have got reinforcement and two companies of BSF and a company of RAF. The road traffic was paralyzed for the second day with protestors taking over Mysore-Bangalore expressway.

The agitators targeted Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajnagar MPs accusing them of inaction and protested in Mysore while senior Congress leader Ambareesh accused the successive Union governments of favouring the TN. It should stop and we should fight for our rights, he said as he joined the agitators at Mandya. Film actor Yash was with him. Koppa, Besagarahalli, Bekkakalale, Kilara observed bandh while farmers took out a padayatra from Kilara to Mandya.

The tourism is badly affected in the region with agitators upping the ante. The Brindavan Gardens, which is shut since Saturday, will remain closed for an indefinite period. A senior cop told TOI that till the situation improves, the tourist spot will be closed for travelers. The tourist arrival ahead of Dasara is also impacted with many canceling reservation even as there are little reservation for Dasara festival starting on October 16. A group of foreign travelers on their way to Mysore were stranded near Maddur when the agitators blocked the expressway. They later left the spot, the police stated.