Mandya: Enraged farmers led by the Kasturi Karnataka Janapara Vedike performed mock funeral rites of state Chief Minister Siddaramiah and Water Resources Minister M B Patil on Deshahalli lake bed near Maddur for not releasing water into irrigation canals for agriculture.

Farmers from nearby villages of Valagerehalli, Chamanhalli led by Forum President Ramesh Gowda assembled at the lake bed at Deshahalli village to perform the last rites of CM and water resources minister, akin to rituals performed after burial in Hindu tradition. They cursed both the leaders amid chanting slogans, “you are dead for us”, accusing both of not responding to their woes even after their agitation entering the 26th day.

Ramesh Gowda accused Siddaramaiah and M B Patil of ignoring their pleas in difficult times.

Speaking on the occasion, district president of the Forum Umashankar said, “The state government is dead for us and even opposition leaders including Yeddyurappa, Eshwarappa, JD(S) Supremo H D Deve Gowda and state president Kumaraswamy would meet the same fate as none have come forward to listen to our woes in troubled times. If they were genuinely concerned, they too would have taken part in the protest with us to make the movement more intense.”

More than 500 people were served post funeral (Thithi) meals on the occasion.