Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar today appealed to the farmers and other organisations in the Cauvery basin area to withdraw their protest and maintain peace as the government was committed to safeguard the interests of the State.

He said, next round of meeting of floor leaders and MPs from the State will be held on September 15 to finalise the State's stand to be put forth before the Prime Minister during Cauvery River Authority Meeting on September 19.

Protests continued in the Cauvery belt over release of water from the Cauvery to Tamil Nadu. The members of Cauvery Hitarakshana Samithi, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and several social organisations took part in the agitation demanding stoppage of water to Tamil Nadu.

Protests were also held in Mysore where large number of farmers gathered near Kabini Dam. The Superintendent of police and other officials are camping at the site to ensure law and order. Janata Dal (Secular) party workers also staged a protest at Santhemala near KRS dam. They later submitted a memorandum to the Irrigation Department.

Karnataka has begun release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. According to the undertaking given in the Supreme Court, the State has to release 10,000 cusecs of water everyday from its reservoirs till the 20th of this month.