MYSORE: The Kabini Raitha Hitarakshana Samithi has declared that the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal will not be acceptable to the farmers of Karnataka in view of the sharp differences among members of the tribunal.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, samithi president Kurubur Shanthakumar said the farmers of Karnataka could not expect justice from the tribunal, with serious differences among members. "There will be a bloodbath in the State if the final award of the tribunal is not fair," Mr. Shanthakumar said.

He recalled that the farmers of Karnataka had expressed scepticism over the fairness of the tribunal's final award when differences among the members first surfaced two years ago. "The tribunal has not been able to function efficiently due to differences among the members. Except for the interim order it delivered in 1991, the tribunal has not done much," he said

He ridiculed Friday's "tentative order" of the tribunal directing the Centre to constitute an expert committee.

Mr. Shanthakumar urged the Centre to formulate a National Water Policy and work towards finding a lasting solution to the vexed Cauvery water issue.

He regretted the Centre's "apathetic attitude" towards solving the dispute.

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