Indian state releases river water

Farmers in both states have attended angry protests

Authorities in the southern Indian state of Karnataka have decided to release disputed Cauvery river water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

The decision was taken at a late night cabinet meeting on Sunday in the state capital Bangalore.

The meeting comes ahead of a crucial hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday on a contempt petition filed by Tamil Nadu against Karnataka.

Chief Minister SM Krishna had been criticised for refusing to comply with a court order to release water from the Cauvery.

Kerala Tamil Nadu

Ministers held the emergency meeting to decide what to do about the row over sharing water with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Information minister Kagodu Thimmappa refused to give details on the cabinet deliberations, saying the government would provide all the information to the Supreme court on Monday.

Police deployed

Police have sent in hundreds of riot police personnel to Mandya and other parts of the Cauvery basin to keep peace.

Farmers have threatened to take to the streets if water is released to Tamil Nadu.

Last week three judges in the Supreme Court said Karnataka was in contempt of court for deliberately disregarding the ruling.

Officials say the meeting was inconclusive, but ministers would meet again today and might consider offering an apology to the Supreme Court.

Mr Krishna staged a 100km march earlier this month to gather public support for his stand, after farmers protested against sharing water from the Cauvery reservoirs.

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been involved in a bitter dispute over many years over sharing the waters of the Cauvery, which flows through both states.