In an interim order on September 5, Supreme Court had asked Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily for next 10 days to Tamil Nadu, leading to protests in parts of Karnataka.
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Vehicles from both the southern states were stoned and burnt by protesters over the sharing of the Cauvery river water, police have not been allowing even ambulances with Karnataka number plates to drive into Tamil Nadu across the tense border.
“Many actors spoke against opening River Cauvery to Tamil Nadu”.
Jayalalithaa said that the court’s direction was sought after her government’s communication to Karnataka seeking release of its share of water from Cauvery and to the Centre urging its intervention did not yield any results.
As a preventive measure, Section 144 has been extended till September 25 midnight in Bengaluru and strong bandobast continues, senior police officials said, adding that life is normal everywhere.
While government-owned public transports, government offices, schools, colleges, banks and others carried on with their routine, majority of shops remained closed across the state.
In Chennai, DMK treasurer Stalin led a rally from Rajarathinam stadium to Egmore Railway station.
The bandh was called against the incidents of violence targeting Tamils in Karnataka and to demand a long-term solution to the vexed river water issue.
“The case is coming up before Supreme Court on September 20, we will fight strongly, issue is also before the (Cauvery) Supervisory Committee”, he said.
Vignesh had, in suicide note later, written about the imposition of Sanskrit in Tamil Nadu, as well as the ongoing Cauvery dispute. Similarly, about 50 activists were rounded up outside the Mysuru station to prevent them from barging onto the platforms, staging protests and blocking trains.
Protection is being provided for Karnataka related business establishments, schools, institutions and areas where Kannada speaking people live, including Krishnagiri district. “I am deeply concerned that certain organisations have called for a bandh in Tamil Nadu on Friday”.
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The bandh had been called by farmers and traders and supported by the opposition.
