Farmers in Hanumasagar blocked traffic at Badimanahalli Cross on Monday to demand water for the tanks in Badimanahalli, Jahagirgudoor, and Mavineetaggi villages within the Hanumanahalli taluk. This is the second time they have staged a road blockade for this demand, following protests on August 17 and 18. During the earlier protests, Devendrappe Ittangi, Executive Engineer of the Small Irrigation Department, promised to release 50 percent water to the tanks within a week. Although steps were taken to release water into the Badimanahalli tank, the water did not reach the destination because the pipeline from Hanumasagar required repairs in several locations, leaving the farmers who had waited in hope of the official assurance disappointed.
The farmers expressed anger, stating that although permission was granted a year ago by the Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam to provide temporary connections to fill the tanks of the three villages with 50 percent water, the project has not materialized. They noted that the proposal to connect the Small Irrigation Department’s pipeline to the Hanumasagar pipeline of the Koppal Ethe Irrigation Project to release water to the tanks is still pending. On Monday morning, the farmers gathered at Badimanahalli Cross and placed large tree branches across the roads connecting Kushtagi-Badami and Guduru-Gajendragad, halting traffic and causing inconvenience to vehicle users. They warned that they would not withdraw their protest until the tanks are filled, demanding that officials complete the repair work immediately without delaying under the pretext of pipeline maintenance.
Nazeersab Mulimani, State General Secretary of the State Kisan Sena and Hasi Sena, along with prominent leaders Hanamantappa K., Shrikant Angadi, Neelappa Kadiyavar, and Devappa Menasagi, were present at the protest.