BIJAPUR: The farmers' agitation launched under the banner of the Bijapur Zilla Samagra Neeravari Horata Samiti at the Alamatti Dam site entered the 22nd day on Tuesday.

They are demanding the restoration of water allocation to irrigation schemes in the district under the Upper Krishna Project as per the original plan. The filling up of minor irrigation tanks with water from the Alamatti and Narayanpur reservoirs is another major demand.

They are also demanding the withdrawal of criminal cases booked against several farmers in connection with the violent incidents that occurred during the agitation last year.

S.K. Bellubbi, former Basavanabagewadi MLA and convener of the samiti, samiti secretary Basavaraj Ambalzari and large number of farmers from Kolhar, Mulwad, Babaladhi, Gunadal, Cholachikkalaki, Kanakal and some other villages participated in Tuesday's dharna.

Mr. Bellubbi said the dharna will continue till the Government concedes their demands.

Sources said the new Government, especially Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, has promised to hold a special meeting on the issue at Alamatti soon after the Cabinet is expanded. Some proposals related to filling up of tanks are likely to be announced during the meeting, the sources added.

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