Farmers detained in Tamil Nadu over Cauvery water dispute

Approximately 50 farmers, led by P Ayyakannu, president of the National South Indian Rivers Inter-Linking Farmers Association, were detained in Tiruchirappalli on Tuesday. The group was intercepted by police while preparing to travel to New Delhi to meet with President Droupadi Murmu.

The farmers are protesting the Karnataka government's alleged failure to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, claiming a violation of Supreme Court and Cauvery Water Management Authority directives. The group intends to submit a petition seeking ₹1 lakh crore in compensation for Tamil Nadu.

Ayyakannu alleged that Karnataka has exceeded cultivation limits established under previous agreements. He criticized the detention, citing the constitutional right to movement under Article 19, and called for the dismissal of the Karnataka government if compensation is not provided.