India’s top court on Monday ordered the southern state of Karnataka to release water from a disputed river to neighboring Tamil Nadu after violence erupted in both states over water sharing.
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Last week, Karnataka Government had made a decision to release water of Cauvery river, as in the wake of Supreme court order, protests intensified in the state and farmers blocked the Bengaluru – Mysuru highway.
On Monday the Supreme Court, responding to Karnataka’s petition that it would not be able to release that much water, modified its order reducing daily quantum but increasing the number of days, which has spilled over into current state of affairs.
Besides Shekhar, the meeting is being attended by officials of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry governments.
It had earlier directed the Government of Karnataka to release of 15,000 cusecs of water for 10 days as immediate relief to farmers in Tamil Nadu.
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CM Siddaramaiah said he talk to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
“All the opposition party leaders unanimously agreed not to release water to Tamil Nadu”.
Police said more than 15,000 officers had been deployed to keep the peace including riot police and border security forces.
He had also said that he would write to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha following the attacks on the restaurant in Chennai and the vandalising of buses and other vehicles in Ramanathapuram and Rameswaram.
Karnataka Director General of Police Om Prakash said the situation was tense, but under control.
A letter was also collected from the spot stating that “if attacks on Tamils continue in Karnataka, such busy firms belonging to Karnataka people shall be thrashed”.
He said forces have been deployed at sensitive points, particularly where Tamil population and establishments are located. “The dispute is between two states”.
He said “It has also come to my notice that an incident involving a youth by name Santosh in Bengaluru, has been blown out of proportion by media channels in Tamil Nadu and this is likely inciting passions and violence against Kannada speaking people”.
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Offices were closed and shop owners downed shutters as groups of young men wandered the streets attacking properties owned by people from Tamil Nadu. Siddaramaiah also asked Tamil Nadu to protect Kannadigas and assuring to safeguard Tamils in the state.
