A day after the violence during the protest against supply of water from Markandaiah tank, the work on the project is being continued with police protection, from Tuesday. Meanwhile, a tenuous peace prevails in Budikote where the incident occurred. A reserve police vehicle and personnel of Malur police station are camping at the site. Interestingly, the farmers have vented their opposition more than seven months after Sai Sudhir Infrastructures, a Hyderbad-based company commenced the work. People divided The controversy has also divided people. There is no love lost between farmers of Masti hobli on the one side of the tank and those of Budikote hobli on the other side. The farmers of Budikote hobli, dependent on the Markandaiah tank water are rendered helpless. The residents of Malur, bearing the brunt of acute water scarcity are also a worried lot. The question whether the tank water is meant exclusively for agriculture or for drinking purposes also, has assumed importance. Ironically, the tank has not filled for the past four years. Malur legislator Krishanaiah Setty has come in between the people of two hoblis to draw water from an unfilled tank. While the people of Malur are all praise for the MLA those of Budikote are venting their angst him. Budikote farmers question the propriety of taking up this project during the progress of the work on Yaragol project.