Cauvery row: Curfew lifted, normalcy returned to Bengaluru on Wednesday

Karnataka government had on Tuesday chose to obey the Supreme Court’s modified order asking it to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till 20 September and warned that those indulging in violence during protests against release of water will be dealt with an “iron-hand”.

“I appeal to the people of the two states, to display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities”.

He added, “Breaking the law is not a viable alternative”. Violence can not provide a solution to any problem. “In a democracy, solutions are found through restraint and mutual dialogue”.

Men make their way past a burning lorry in Bengaluru, which was set on fire by protesters after India’s Supreme Court ordered Karnataka state to release 12,000 cubic feet of water per second every day from the Cauvery river to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, India, on September 12, 2016.

Police arrested almost 400 people for looting and vandalism in India’s information technology hub of Bangalore after a curfew was imposed to quell violence set off by a court ruling over a disputed water source, a police officer said Tuesday.

Union Information & Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said the violence and counter-violence would only further complicate matters and not serve the interests of any one.

At least 30 activists of a fringe Tamil outfit were arrested here today when they tried to stage a demonstration in front of Karnataka Association office here, in protest against attacks on Tamils in that state over the Cauvery issue.

Karnataka state was ordered to release 12,000 cubic feet of water per second every day to Tamil Nadu until September 20.

A large number of youths from Tamil Nadu are employed in several IT companies in Bengaluru, she said and sought the intervention of the Karnataka Chief Minister in ensuring their safety and protection from untoward incidents.

The Minister “fervently” appealed to the people of both the states to immediately stop indulging in violence and ensure peace and normalcy.

Speaking to KNN India on the issue, Vice President of Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) Hanumanthe Gowda said that since yesterday the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state are shut down and one can not take any risk to open the factories due to ongoing outrage.

The violence including burning and damaging of more than 50 buses and many other vehicles bearing Tamil Nadu registration and also torching of properties belonging to Tamilians is deplorable, chamber president Vanitha Mohan said in a statement.