Tamil Nadu Farmers Bury Themselves In Sand Over Cauvery Water Row

Farmers in Tamil Nadu staged an unusual protest on the banks of the Cauvery River in Tiruchirappalli, burying themselves in sand to demand the immediate release of Cauvery water for irrigation. 

The demonstration was led by Farmers' Association leader Ayya Kannu on Sunday, during which the protesting farmers said that despite repeated appeals for water to save the Kuruvai crop, Karnataka has not released Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

They condemned the Karnataka



government, accusing it of treating Tamil Nadu as a "drainage state" by releasing only excess water instead of providing the state's rightful share. 

The farmers also reiterated their opposition to the proposed Mekedatu dam project, stating that it would further affect Tamil Nadu's water availability. Kannu, who led the protest, urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay to file a suit in the Supreme Court demanding Rs 1 lakh crore in compensation for the state's agricultural community.