Belagavi : As much as 30 water lifting machines including former Kagwad BJP MLA Bharamgouda, alias Raju Kage, installed to Krishna river were burgled in last three days in Athani, Chikkodi and Raibag taluks. The machines were fixed to the river to pull water to the farms were installed against the government order which banned dragging of river water to the field cultivation except drinking purpose.

The stolen machines costed to Rs 30 lakh. A meeting of villagers held to condemn the burglary said it was the failure of police as the could not prevent the theft.

Despite banned, thousands of farmers afixed the machines to river Krishna and drag water to their fields.