Widespread violence erupted today in Bangaluru and some other parts of Karnataka while sporadic trouble was witnessed in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water sharing dispute arising out of Supreme Court's verdict.
Soon after the apex court gave its amended order, directing Karnataka to release 12000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu till September 20, violence and arson flared up in Bengaluru, with rampaging mobs setting afire at least 30 buses and trucks with Tamil Nadu registration number plate.
Trucks with Tamil Nadu registration number plate were stoned or set on fire also in Mandya, Mysuru, Chitradurga and Dharwad districts as Kannada activists gave vent to their anger against the order of the top court which had earlier directed Karnataka to give 15000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.
Parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry too saw protests by fringe outfits, with some commercial and government establishments of Karnataka coming under attack, in an apparent retaliation of happenings in Karnataka.
In view of the deteriorating situation, the Centre rushed 10 companies (about 1,000 personnel) of the special anti-riot paramilitary force RAF to Karnataka.
Officials said if need arises, some of the contingents will also be deployed in Tamil Nadu.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also called up Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu tonight and assured them all central assistance in handling the law and order situation.
In Delhi, the Cauvery Supervisory Committee also met but failed to arrive at a decision on quantum of water to be released to Tamil Nadu and other states pursuant to the Supreme Court order and decided to meet again on September 19.
With people and assets of her state being targeted in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa dashed a letter to her counterpart Siddaramaiah, urging him to ensure safety and security of lakhs of Tamilians in that state.
She also assured him that safety of people from Karnataka will be ensured in Tamil Nadu.
(Repeating after adding first two paras)
Earlier, the Karnataka Chief Minister, while voicing concern over violence against Kannada-speaking people in Tamil Nadu, wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart, asking her to ensure their safety and protection while assuring her that interests of Tamils in the state would be safeguarded.
"While we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure maintenance of law and order in our state, I would urge you to direct authorities in Tamil Nadu to ensure that perpetrators of violence are immediately brought to book," Siddaramaiah said in his letter.
Shortly after the modified Supreme Court order on release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and amid reports of alleged attacks on Kannadigas in the neighbouring state, violence broke out in Bengaluru, sending a wave of panic across the city, which was brought under prohibitory orders till normalcy is restored.
Buses and trucks with Tamil Nadu registration number plate and several shops and establishments with roots there bore the brunt of vandalism by protesters with a travel company depot being the worst affected with several parked buses buses set afire.
Incidents of arson came even as police said they have made elaborate security arrangements with 15,000 policemen being deployed, bolstered byKarnataka State Reserve Police, City Armed Reserve Police, Rapid Action Force, Quick Reaction Teams, special forces, Central Industrial Security Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the government did not expect the protest to go to this extent. "We expected that if the decision goes against us, there will be some protest, but definitely not to this extent. This is all hit and run kind of thing where 20-30 people join together to protest where police are not there, then theysuddenly run away".
The situation was being brought under control, he said adding that 200 people been detained.
He said forces have been deployed at sensitive points, particularly where Tamil population and establishments are located. "We have taken utmost precaution. We have received 10 companies of central forces. We have requested formore."
In Tamil Nadu, outfits such as Naam Tamizhar Katchi and Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi hit the streets protesting the ongoing agitations in Karnataka opposing release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, police said.
A popular restaurant in Chennai owned by a native of Karnataka was vandalised while protesters created a ruckus at a Karnataka Bank branch in neighbouring Union Territory of Puducherry, police said.
Four persons were detained in connection with the restaurant attack while around 25 taken into custody in Puducherry, they said.
Police protection was provided to the Karnataka Bank branches in Tamil Nadu.
In Rameswaram, seven tourist vehicles bearing Karnataka registration that were parked at a temple were damaged when agitated members ofvarious outfits including Naam Tamizhar Katchi allegedly indulged in vandalism.
The group entered the parking lot of the templenear Agni Theertham sea in the town and damaged the vehicles with clubs and stones, police said.
Cases have been registered against seven persons in connection with the episode, they said.
"You would agree that the incidents of violence against
Kannada speaking people that are being reported from Tamil Nadu would incite passions threatening peace in our state, which all of us should prevent," Siddaramiah said.
Siddaramaiah said his government was firmly committed to maintaining law and order in the state and had taken "utmost" precaution to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, particularly Tamil speaking people, in the state.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan expressed concern over the "attacks on Tamils" in Karnataka and put the onus of ensuring their safety on the ruling Congress.
In Bengaluru, as reports of arson and vandalism spread, office goers rushed back home, with many companies calling off work as a precautionary step and schools and colleges declaring holiday. The sudden rush caused traffic gridlocks in several parts.
The Metro, on which lakhs of commuters depend, also temporarily suspended its services.
Activists of disparate pro-Kannada outfits took control of streets in several areas and engaged in stone throwing and arson, targeting buses and trucks.
Two Chennai-based hotels and mobile shops were attacked and vandalised in Bengaluru.
Schools and Colleges in Mandya, the epicentre of Cauvery protests schools and colleges have declared holiday till 14 September as a precautionary measure.
In Mandya district, two trucks were set ablaze and the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway was blocked.
Police made a lathicharge to disperse a violent mob, which tried to loot some shops. Several vehicles with Tamil Nadu registration number plates were damaged on the highway, police said.
In parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, protests by fringe Tamil outfits erupted with some commercial and government establishments of Karnataka coming under attack.
The protests came a day after a video purportedly showing a 22-year-old Tamil youth being beaten up by a group of men in Bengaluru for alleged "derogatory" remarks on social media against Kannada film actors went viral.
Outfits such as Naam Tamizhar Katchi and Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi hit the streets protesting the ongoing agitations in Karnataka opposing release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, police said.
A popular restaurant in Chennai and tourist vehicles bearing Karnataka registration plates in Rameswaram were vandalised, while protesters created a ruckus at a Karnataka Bank branch in neighbouring Union Territory of Puducherry, police said.
