In India, riots broke out due to the lack of water
Relative calm was restored in the Indian city of Bangalore after death two men who happened on the backdrop of unrest due to water shortages.
Prime Minister Narendra modi appealed to the protesters to show restraint and follow the law. The protests started at the beginning of this week due to the transaction of exchange of water between the Indian state of Karnataka neighboring Kerala. Wednesday was deployed presence of paramilitary equipment.
One demonstrator was shot dead by the police, said chief Minister of Karnataka at a press conference on Tuesday. Another died in the hospital after injuries sustained in a fall while fleeing police during clashes on Monday.
The riots began on the streets of Gujarat after September 5, the Supreme court of India ordered the state to release from the reservoirs 15 thousand cubic feet of water per day, to make life easier for drought-affected farmers in Tamil Nadu.
Millions of farmers in both States rely on water from the river Cauvery which originates in Karnataka and flows into Tamil Nadu before flowing into the Bay of Bengal for irrigation. Farmers are struggling to meet their needs of agriculture. Tamil Nadu claims that they do not get enough water and accuses Karnataka that they retain water in their reservoirs. The latter States that Tamil Nadu asking for more than they actually need.
After the riots, the Supreme court on Monday reduced the water level, which will be released for Karnataka to 12,000 cubic feet every day until September 30.
"We are ready to give their lives, but not Kaveri," shouted one protester, referring to the river that supplies water to the reservoirs. "Cauvery belongs to Karnataka," shouted the crowd.
The dispute over Cauvery waters goes back to the early 1800s, according to official documents. Two centuries ago the disagreement has led to numerous settlements in the past, but no issue was resolved.
The Ministers of the States held an extraordinary session on Tuesday after demonstrators smashed shops and set fire to over 100 cars, trucks and buses in Bangalore, Karnataka, after several days of tension after the order of the Supreme court, to release water from reservoirs in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
Russian News
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