Centre has appealed to people of Karnataka & Tamil Nadu to maintain peace over Cauvery issue. Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu has requested media to exercise restraint in reporting on the incidents happening in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. He said, violence cannot be justified on any ground and is not a solution to any problem.
He urged to state governments and political leaders to take necessary measures to stop violence and ensure protection to people from other states. Cauvery water sharing row with Tamil Nadu turned violent in Karnataka yesterday.
One person has died and another received injuries after police opened fire upon protesters in Bengaluru’s Rajgopalnagar area. There were many reports of arson and vandalism in Bengaluru and on a highway to Mysuru during protests against the Supreme Court’s modified order directing Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till 20th September. 15,000 policemen have been deployed across the IT city. Prohibitory orders under section 144 have been imposed in the city. Curfew has been imposed in 16 police station limits in Bengaluru.
However, in view of the festival of EID today, Police clarified that prohibitory orders will not apply to place of worships and Idgahs. 10 companies of Rapid Action Force, CRPF, and ITBP have already been deployed since yesterday. The angry protesters torched many vehicles including state transport buses and trucks while damaging hundreds of vehicles in stone pelting on Tamil Nadu – Karnataka border. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has convened an emergency cabinet meeting today to take stock of the situation. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier telephonically talked to Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and inquired about the situation and offered all possible assistance.