Cauvery waters singe Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

Tamilians attacked in Bengaluru, Kannadigas face brunt in Chennai

One person was killed another injured in police firing in Bengaluru on Monday as a Supreme Court order to Karnataka for release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu sparked violent protests in both states.

Violence rocked Bengaluru as about 30 vehicles from Tamil Nadu were torched, prompting the Siddaramaiah government to issue prohibitory orders in the IT city, besides shutting Metro rail operations, most schools, colleges and some offices.

Retaliatory violence also erupted in Tamil Nadu as groups hurled bombs at Chennai’s New Woodlands Hotel, and attacked 7 Karnataka buses in Rameswaram.

About 15,000 cops were deployed across IT city with focus in areas where Tamils live in large numbers. The Centre rushed 10 companies of anti-riot forces to Karnataka; some of it may move to Tamil Nadu as well. About 5-10 companies of BSF and ITBP were kept on standby.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to both CMs and assured them of complete assistance from the Centre.

Trouble started after the Supreme Court ordered Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu every day till September 20. It rapped the state government for citing public unrest as a ground for seeking a modification of its earlier September 5 order to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu per day for 10 days. “Citizens cannot take law in their own hands. The executive must make sure that court orders are implemented,” the court said. The court will hear the matter next on September 20. Karnataka indicated it would appeal against the order. Describing the violence in Karnataka as “alarming”, Siddaramaiah wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart J Jayalalithaa to ensure that the perpetrators of the violence were immediately brought to book. But she wrote back, saying Tamils in Karnataka were in greater danger than Kannadigas in Tamil Nadu. Expressing concern, she said, “Hotels and properties belonging to Tamils in Karnataka are being attacked and damaged. This is an alarming situation and is causing considerable anxiety.” The US also issued an advisory to its citizens asking them to avoid Bengaluru and other areas of demonstrations. Siddaramaiah has called an emergency meeting of his cabinet at 11 am on Tuesday.