Farmers’ groups clash over diverting Vedavathi river water to lake in Kadur

CHIKKAMAGALUR: Farmers of two villages got into heated arguments and almost came to blows over diverting the Vedavathi river water to two tanks in the taluk. The police intervened to calm down tempers, but had a tough time.

The farmers of Kadur are opposing diverting of the Vedavathi river water, which originates in the taluk, to tanks in Hulikere and Nagenahalli villages. After a meeting in Kadur, the farmers proceeded towards the Agrahara near Sakharayapatna where the farmers from Kadur and Sakharayapatna engaged in a verbal clash, prompting the police to intervene.

Kadur MLA K S Anand, who had arrived at the travellers bungalow where the farmers had met, appealed to the farmers to raise their issues in a peaceful manner. However, when they went to the Agrahara near a lake, some farmers engaged an a verbal duel, leading to tense moments for some time.

Police Superintendent Vikram Amate later visited the spot and took stock of the situation.