Cauvery row: Violence erupts in Bengaluru, 1 killed in firing

Cauvery row: Violence erupts in Bengaluru, 1 killed in firing

Bengaluru: One person was killed and another injured in police firing in Karnataka as the Cauvery water sharing row with Tamil Nadu turned violent today, escalating tensions between the two states.

Widespread violence erupted today in Bengaluru and some other parts of Karnataka, while sporadic trouble was witnessed in Tamil Nadu following Supreme Court’s modified order on sharing Cauvery water by the two riparian states.

Police opened fire when a mob tried to attack a patrol vehicle at Hegganahalli in Rajagopal Nagar police limits as violence flared up in Bengaluru city with rampaging mobs setting fire to buses and trucks with Tamil Nadu registration plates.

“Two were brought with bullet injuries. One with bullet injury near the heart has died. The other is being operated for injury on right thigh,” Dr. Giridhar, Managing Director of Lakshmi Multi-Speciality Hospital, where they were taken told PTI tonight.

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 vehicles bearing Tamil Nadu number plates.

As violence broke out sending a wave of panic across Bengaluru, the city was brought under prohibitory orders till September 14.

A prominent transport company depot in the city bore the brunt with at least 30 buses going up in flames.

Managing Director of Salem headquartered KPN Tours and Travels Limited Rajesh Natarajan claimed in Chennai 40 of his buses were set on fire.

Incidents of arson came even as police said they have made elaborate security arrangements with 15,000 policemen being deployed, bolstered by Karnataka 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.

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.

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.

After Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke to Singh, an official statement issued in Bengaluru described the situation as “fully under control”.

The Union Home Minister responded “positively” to the request for aditional central forces, it said.

Describing the violence in Karnataka as alarming, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote to Siddaramaiah, seeking protection for Tamil speaking people and their property, hours after he had made a similar plea to her.

Jayalalithaa assured Siddaramaiah that safety of people from Karnataka will be ensured in Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said 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.”

He said 200 people been detained in connection with the violence.

He said forces have been deployed at sensitive points, particularly where Tamil population and establishments are located.

Trucks with Tamil Nadu registration number plate were either stoned or set on fire also in Mandya, Mysuru, Chitradurga and Dharwad districts as Kannada activists gave vent to their anger over attacks on state vehicles and property of Kannadigas in the neighbouring state and also against the apex court’S modified order.

The Supreme Court, modifying its September 5 order, today asked Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

In its September five order, the apex court had directed release of 15,000 cusecs for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of the neighbouring state, which had triggered strong protests from farmers and pro-Kannada outfits with Karnataka observing a bandh against it on September nine.

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 for happenings in Karnataka.

As 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 these personnel will also be deployed in Tamil Nadu.

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.

Earlier, voicing concern over violence against Kannada speaking people and their properties in Tamil Nadu over the past two days, Siddaramaiah wrote to Jayalalithaa to ensure adequate safety and protection to Kannada speaking people in Tamil Nadu.

“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.

Cauvery row; violence erupts, Bengaluru on edge

Bengaluru (PTI): As the Cauvery water sharing row raged, violence flared up in the city with rampaging mobs setting fire to at least 30 buses and trucks with Tamil Nadu registration number plate and bringing the country’s IT capital on the edge.

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 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 by Karnataka 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 they suddenly 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 for more.”

Trucks with Tamil Nadu registration number plate were either stoned or set on fire also in Mandya, Mysuru,Chitradurga and Dharwad districts as Kannada activists gave vent to their anger over alleged attacks on state vehicles and property of Kannadigas in the neighbouring state and also against the apex court modified order.

The Supreme Court, modifying its September 5 order, today asked Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20. In its September five order, the apex court had directed release of 15,000 cusecs for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of the neighbouring state, which had triggered strong protests from farmers and pro-Kannada outfits with Karnataka observing a bandh against it on September nine.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called an emergency cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss the situation arising out of the Cauvery row. 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, with sudden rush causing traffic gridlocks in several parts.

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 resorted to stone throwing and burning, targetting buses and trucks.Two Chennai-based hotels and mobile shops were attacked and vandalised in Bengaluru.

Voicing concern over violence against Kannada speaking people and their properties in Tamil Nadu over the past two days, Siddaramaiah wrote to his counterpart Jayalalithaa to ensure adequate safety and protection for Kannada speaking people in Tamil Nadu. “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.

Speaking to reporters earlier, Siddaramaiah said he would also speak to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, if necessary, on the incidents targeting Kannadigas. Asking people not to pay heed to rumours and to cooperate in maintaining law and order, Karnataka state DGP Omprakash said as a precautionary measure section 144 is in place in Bengaluru city, Mandya, Mysuru, Srirangapatna and near four dams in the Cauvery basin.

Prohibitory orders will remain until normalcy is restored, he said adding, the situation is “tense, but under control.” In Mandya district, the main epicentre of the Cauvery agitation, two trucks were set ablaze and the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway was blocked after the Supreme court order came out.

Police made a lathicharge to disperse a violent mob, which tried to loot some shops. Several vehicles with Tamil Nadu registration number plate were damaged on Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, police said. In parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, protests by fringe Tamil outfits erupted today 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 plate in Rameswaram were vandalised while protesters created a ruckus at a Karnataka Bank branch in neighbouring Union Territory of Puducherry, police said. Four persons have been 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 an early morning incident here, protesters owing allegiance to Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (TPDK) allegedly vandalised a popular restaurant owned by a native of Karnataka.

They smashed the window panes using iron rods and wooden logs and four persons belonging to the outfit had been detained in connection with the incident, a police official said.

At Rameswaram, seven tourist vehicles bearing Karnataka registration number plate that were parked at a temple were damaged when agitated members of various outfits including Naam Tamizhar Katchi allegedly indulged in vandalism. The group entered the parking lot of the temple near 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.

Protests were held outside the branches of Karnataka Bank in Erode even as protestors barged into the bank’s branch at Puducherry and created a ruckus. Around 25 workers of Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi entered the branch on Misson Street in the Union Territory wielding broomsticks, banged them on the tables and asked the bank staff to vacate the premises.

The staff ran helter skelter while the panic-stricken customers rushed out. Policemen, who were deployed in the vicinity, rushed there and took the protesters into custody. The bank was closed for a few hours after the incident and later reopened. However, it was again shut following advice from police.

At Vellore in Tamil Nadu, students of Government Law College boycotted classes over the issue. For the eight consecutive day, buses to Mysuru, Chamrajnagar and other places in Karnataka from Erode, Tirupur and Coimbatore in western Tamil Nadu were not operated.

Cauvery stir; sporadic violence flares up in Bengaluru, some parts

Bengaluru, Sep 12, 2016 (PTI): Sporadic violence broke out here and in some other parts of Karnataka amid the raging Cauvery water sharing row, with the Siddaramaiah government asking Tamil Nadu to protect Kannadigas and assuring to safeguard Tamils in the state.

Trucks with Tamil Nadu registration numbers were either stoned or set on fire in Bengaluru, Mandya, Mysuru, Chitradurga and Dharwad districts as Kannada activists gave vent to their anger over alleged attacks on state vehicles and property of Kannadigas in the neighbouring state. Karnataka Director General of Police Om Prakash said the situation was tense, but under control.

The violence also flared up shortly after the Supreme Court, modifying its September 5 order, today asked Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

In its September five order, the apex court had directed release of 15,000 cusecs for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of the neighbouring state, which had triggered strong protests from farmers and pro-Kannada outfits with Karnataka observing a bandh against it on September nine.

At least six Tamil Nadu trucks were set on fire or stoned and a Chennai-based mobile shop and two hotels were attacked in Bengaluru, police said, as activists of different pro-Kannada outfits took to the streets.

Bengaluru police said prohibitory orders had not been imposed in any part of the city and asked people not to pay heed to rumours. Elaborate security arrangements are in place in the city with 15,000 policemen being deployed.

Karnataka 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 and 3000 home guards are also on duty. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called an emergency cabinet meeting tomorrow.

In Mandya district, the main epicentre of the Cauvery agitation, two trucks were set ablaze and the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway was blocked after the Supreme court order came out.

Police made a lathicharge to disperse a violent mob, which tried to loot some shops. Several vehicles with Tamil Nadu registration number were damaged on Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, police said.

Incidents of Tamil Nadu trucks becoming the target of stoning were reported also from the districts of Mysuru, Chitradurga and Dharwad. Voicing concern over violence against Kannada speaking people and their properties in Tamil Nadu over the past two days, Siddaramaiah wrote to his counterpart Jayalalithaa to ensure adequate safety and protection for Kannada speaking people in Tamil Nadu.

“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.

Speaking to reporters earlier, Siddaramaiah said he would also speak to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, if necessary, on the incidents targeting Kannadigas. The state Chief Secretary and Director General of Police had spoken to their Tamil Nadu counterparts and asked them to ensure stern action against the culprits and to see that such incidents do not recur, Siddaramaiah said.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said police forces had been deployed in areas where Tamils live in large numbers in Bengaluru and elsewhere in Karnataka. “We have taken precautions”, he said. Suspected pro-Tamil protesters today attacked and damaged a hotel run by a native of Karnataka in Chennai, damaging its window panes using iron rods and wooden logs.

Seven tourist vehicles bearing Karnataka registration parked at a temple in Rameswaram were damaged allegedly by activists of various outfits including Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam. In Mandya, G Madegowda, President of Cauvery Rythara Hitha Rakshana Samithee, that is spearheading the agitation, said “the Supreme Court has not given us justice. We cannot expect justice from the court. The only option to get justice is to intensify the agitation,” he said.

Throughout Mandya district, activists of different organisations took out rallies or held dharnas and road blockades to protest against the modified Supreme Court order. Security has been tightened around Krishnaraja Sagar dam and prohibitory orders around it extended till September 26.