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Karnataka CM appeals for calm, says will implement ‘difficult’ SC order

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the petition of a Kanyakumari-based activist who has requested the apex court to direct Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to take strict action against those indulging in violence over the sharing of Cauvery water.

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He also said that he will urge the PM to call up Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and speak to her to perhaps soften her stance in he terms of sharing of waters of the Cauvery river.

He added, “Breaking the law is not a viable alternative”.

State ministers held emergency meetings Tuesday after demonstrators vandalized shops and set fire to more than 100 cars, buses and trucks in Bangalore, Karnataka, after days of tension following a Supreme Court order to release water from the state’s reservoirs to neighboring state Tamil Nadu.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, “I trust you will keep national interest and nation building above all else, and give priority to restraint, harmony, and finding a solution, eschewing violence, destruction and arson”. Today our Chief Secretary contacted the Prime Minister’s Office seeking his appointment immediately.

He said that violence can not provide a solution to any problem and in a democracy, solutions are found through restraint and mutual dialogue.

Curfew was imposed late on Monday night in 16 police station limits of the city which were under prohibitory orders. But when we are functioning within the framework of the Constitution, though it is a hard order, as a constitutionally formed government it is hard to violate or reject the Supreme Court order.

“The inability to implement the 5th Sep judgement is the reason why yesterday’s direction came from the SC.as per the order we’ve released water for six days”.

Over 300 people were arrested, and the city remained under tense calmness on Tuesday.

Bengaluru city police, bolstered by central forces, is keeping a tight vigil, particularly in areas inhabited by Tamils and other sensitive localities.

Rather than looking as an issue between two states, Cauvery basin from Talacauvery in Karnataka to Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu should be considered as a single entity.

Extra police protection being given to hotels and other organisations. A man also died Tuesday of injuries he suffered while trying to escape baton-wielding police the day before, officials said.

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The violence has left 2 persons killed in police firing and according to ASSOCHAM an estimated Rs.22,000 to Rs.25,000 crore loss to public and private properties. Both had Tamil Nadu registration number plates.

Bride from Bengaluru walks for hours as Cauvery protests hit buses to Tamil Nadu