Bengaluru Bounces Back After Cauvery Violence, Curfew Lifted

Asserting that the people can not take law into their hands, the apex court directed the two states to ensure there is no violence, agitation, destruction and damage to properties following its order on Cauvery water sharing and asked them to maintain peace, calm and dignity for law.

On Monday, police fired at a group pf protesters who set on fire a police jeep and motorbike killing one protester and wounding another in Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka state, said police officer Madhukar Narote. We reiterate that neither bandhs nor agitations can take place after the Supreme Court has passed an order.

The top court by its September 12 order had asked Karnataka government to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu every day till September 20, after modifying its earlier order of September 5 directing the release of 15,000 cusecs every day for next 10 days.

He said the police has not given any permission for pro-Kannada leader Vatal Nagaraj’s party to stage rail roko on Thursday.

On a PIL by social activist P Sivakumar from Kanyakumari seeking a direction to the authorities in both states to take preventive measures to quell violent protests, the bench said, “The fundamental objective is that there can not be any agitation when it relates to an order passed by the court”.

Karnataka authorities have stopped bus services to Tamil Nadu for an unspecified period of time to prevent passengers from being attacked.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today held a consultation meeting with retired Judges of high court and advocate generals to discuss the course of Karnataka’s legal battle in order to get justice in Cauvery water sharing. We have made an assessment about the problems that may crop up.

A PIL has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the Centre to protect Tamils in Karnataka and Kerala in the wake of recent attacks on them in both states over the Cauvery issue and alleged assault on PWD officials.

“We will leave no stone unturned to fight for the cause of our land, water, language and interest of our farmers”.