Siddaramaiah said that though the modified order of the Court was hard to implement, the state had no option but to follow the constitutional framework.
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The CM also stated that he has sought the intervention of the prime minister by convening a meeting of the chief ministers of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala.
Protests erupted over a Supreme Court order for Karnataka state, of which Bangalore is the capital, to release water from a river to ease a shortage in Tamil Nadu until later this month. Siddaramaiah said, “The police have been told to be tough against people involved in violence and deal with them with an iron hand”. “I am personally pained at the developments”.
“A grave injustice is being done to us as the state is forced to release more water for growing crops in Tamil Nadu when we don’t have sufficient water for even drinking because of deficit rains”, Pravish Shetty, who heads a group campaigning for the rights of Karnataka people, told local TV.
“While the water is a basic requirement and an emotional issue, the situation is being exploited by miscreants, scaring away the peace loving workforce which has settled in both Bengaluru and Chennai from all over the country and even overseas”, Rawat said. The government has chose to maintain law and order with iron fist. He also appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to protect Kannadigas living in that state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed pain over the attacks in the two states locked in a bitter river water sharing row and appealed for calm while stressing that violence can not provide a solution to any problem. “I appeal to the people of the two States, to display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities”, the Prime Minister said. Law and order is not restricted to Karnataka alone, ” Mr Siddaramaiah added.
Thanking the people for maintaining peace and in restoring normalcy in the city, the Chief Minister said: “As Bangalore is an worldwide city with a global image and a brand as India’s Silicon Valley, I seek cooperation of all, especially media in protecting its reputation”. About 30 protesters more were arrested at Mandya and Mysuru for indulging in violence, including stoning trucks and buses bearing Tamil Nadu registration numbers.
No major untoward incidents have been reported from other parts of the state as well. However, the number of deaths due to protests went up to two, with another man succumbing to his injuries at a hospital. But the police rushed to these spots in time and controlled the situation.
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Thousands of police have been deployed in the city in an attempt to regain control, while authorities have banned large gatherings and imposed a curfew in several areas.
