Farmers block national highway demanding withdrawal of Warabandhi system

Farmers blocked the Bidar-Srirangapatna National Highway at Devapur cross in Shorapur taluk of Yadgir district on Saturday, as they took part in the protest against the Warabandhi system.

A large number of farmers, led by former Minister Narasimha Naik (Raju Gowda), staged a protest at Devapur Cross in Shorapur taluk on Saturday and blocked the Bidar-Srirangapatna National Highway (NH-150A), demanding the withdrawal of the Warabandhi (rotational water supply) system and the release of water from the Basavasagar Reservoir into canals until the end of November.

​The traffic movement on the busy highway was disrupted. However, the police diverted vehicles through alternative routes. Devapur Cross is a crucial junction connecting Kalaburagi with Bengaluru, and Shorapur with Vijayapura.

​The protesters alleged that the State government decided to stop water release from October 25 to November 2, and again during subsequent rotation schedules, to enforce the Warabandhi, despite adequate storage in the reservoir.

​Addressing the gathering, Mr. Naik pointed out that the district was already reeling under a severe drought, with commercial crops like cotton facing widespread damage due to a prolonged dry spell and rainfall deficit since the onset of the monsoon. However, farmers relying on irrigation from the Narayanpur Left and Right Bank Canals had cultivated paddy, groundnut, sunflower, and chilli expecting a steady water supply, he said.

​He criticised the decision taken during the Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC) meeting held in Bengaluru on October 15 to enforce rotational restrictions. “The decision is unscientific. If Warabandhi is strictly implemented, standing crops will wither completely, causing irreparable losses to farmers,” Mr. Naik warned, urging the government to release water till November-end and threatening to intensify agitation if their demands were not met.

​The activists alleged that water from the reservoir was being released to neighboring Telangana, while local legislators who attended the ICC meeting failed to protect the interests of the district’s farming community.

​Pro-Kannada outfits and various local farmers’ associations extended support to the demonstration. Elaborate security arrangements were made by the police to prevent any untoward incident. Superintendent of Police Pruthvik Shankar visited the spot and supervised security personnel throughout the demonstration.

​The agitators later submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister through Deputy Commissioner Rahul Pandve and Mr. Shankar.

​Religious leader Channamallikarjun Swami, along with local leaders Venu Madhav Naik, Suresh Sajjan, Sanganna, Bhimu Naik, Mallu Dandin, and Sharanu and others were present.