Meanwhile, D S Rawat, secretary general, Assocham on September 13 said: ” Riots in Bengaluru and other places over the Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are estimated to have cost Rs 22,000 crore -Rs 25,000 crore loss with the disruption in productivity of businesses, movement of goods and transportation hassles”.
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Siddaramaiah also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an appointment and requesting him to intervene in the matter.
PM Modi further affirmed that this particular dispute between the neighbouring states could only be solved legally and breaking the law will have adverse reactions.
The Apex Court, modifying its September 5 order, had asked Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.
Earlier I&B Minister Venkaiah Naidu appealed to people of Karnataka & Tamil Nadu to maintain peace and asked media to exercise restraint.
India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states and the row over the Cauvery River stretches back decades.
“Until now we have detained almost 200 people involved in the violent protests”, the state home minister said.
An uneasy calm prevailed in Bengaluru today after outbreak of violence over the issue of sharing Cauvery River water with Tamil Nadu, as Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah government warned of “stringent” action against vandalism or attempts to disturb peace.
“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.
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”. Violence can not provide a solution to any problem.
The protest witnessed two deaths while many were injured.
“The situation in Bangalore and other parts of the state is peaceful and under control”.
On Sunday, he posted a message to his Facebook page asking the people of both states to “remain sensible and refrain from posting things that spread hatred and violence”.
Protests over the Cauvery issue continued in some parts of Tamil Nadu for the second day with fringe outfits like Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) holding agitations outside Kannada establishments in Chennai and in Coimbatore.
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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.
