Cauvery Dispute Kills One; Curfew Imposed in 7 Areas in Bengaluru

Karnataka CM seeks Jayalalithaa’s intervention in the ongoing violence.

Vehicles with Tamil Nadu numbers were torched and burned by protesters in Bengaluru. (Photo: IANS)

• Bengaluru comes to a standstill as protests turn violent between Kannadigas and Tamils.
  Curfew imposed in seven police limits in Bengaluru.
• One civilian dead, and another has been injured in police firing.

• Section 144 CrPC imposed in Bengaluru from 5 pm onwards; around 200 protesters detained.
• Many offices and schools reportedly closed down.
  
• Metro services halted and bus services between the two warring states dismissed.
• The SC directs Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water instead of 15,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu every day.
  

In an unprecedented turn of events in the ongoing Cauvery water dispute, India’s Silicon Valley is suffering from violent protests and a complete breakdown of law and order.

Late on Monday evening, one civilian was reportedly killed and another injured in police firing in the city’s Hegganahalli area. Meanwhile, protesters took to pelting stones at the residence of Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah in Mysuru.

As a preventive measure, prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC was imposed in Bengaluru from 5pm.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have been deployed in the city, along with 20,000 home guards and 185 KSRP platoons.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh too has assured full assistance to the Karnataka and the Tamil Nadu governments to help them effectively deal with the situation

On Tuesday, the Chief Minister will head an emergency Cabinet meeting.

Chief Minister of Kerala, Vijayan requested Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu to arrange for two special trains to bring back those Keralites who wish to return to their state from Karnataka which erupted in violent protests since Friday.

The recent stills from Bengaluru. (Photo: Parul Agarwal/ The Quint)

Curfew Imposed in Seven Areas

Inspector General of Police, Umesh Kumar told reporters that a curfew has been imposed in seven police limits, namely, Rajgopal Nagar, Kamakshipalya, Vijay Nagar, Byatarayanpura, Kengeri, Magadi Road and Rajaji Nagar.

He added that 20 paramilitary forces have been deployed to tackle the situation out of which ten are yet to arrive. He also said that the situation was tense but in control.

Earlier in the day, a woman television journalist and her cameraman, were assaulted during violence that broke out in various parts of the city.

My colleague, Rohini Swamy, and myself - we both were roughed up and beaten by those protesting against Supreme Court direction to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Y Madhu, Cameraman, India Today

CRPF, CISF Called in, Rajnath Assures Full Support

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara told ANI that 200 protesters have been detained. He added that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have been deployed in the city, along with 20,000 home guards and 185 KSRP platoons.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured full assistance to the Karnataka and the Tamil Nadu governments to help them effectively deal with the situation after he spoke to Siddaramaiah and Jayalalithaa over the issue.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured full assistance to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/ANI)

US Issues Advisory to Nationals

The US on Monday issued an advisory asking its citizens in Bengaluru to avoid visiting areas where protests are taking place in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, and review their personal security plans.

The security advisory comes in the wake of violent protests in various parts of Bengaluru, where a number of American companies, including IT firms have offices.

US citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations. 

US Advisory

Bengaluru Burns as Protestors Set Ablaze Busses

According to latest reports coming in, protestors in Bengaluru have set on fire buses parked at the KPN bus depot to express their anger over the ruling in the Cauvery dispute.

The manager of the Depot, Ansar has revealed that 56 vehicles which were parked in the depot were gutted in the massive fire.

Chaos in Bengaluru, Govt In Tight Spot

Bengaluru came to a standstill as protesters took to streets, burning vehicles and vandalising bus stops.

Schools have been shut and authorities are trying to get law and order in place.

Offices asked people to leave for home following which they faced problems with commute. There were no autos or other transport options available and people found it difficult to head home.

The unrest comes after the Supreme Court on Monday modified its Cauvery order according to which Tamil Nadu will receive less water from what was directed earlier.

Police had to resort to lathi-charge to bring the situation under control.

All bus services from Tamil Nadu to Bengaluru, Kolar, Chamarajnagar and Mysuru have been stopped as a safety measure.

Meanwhile, Karnataka had also approached the Supreme Court to change the order on Monday, but the court turned it down.

Protestors Vandalise Bus, Beat Up Driver in Rameswaram

A bus from Karnataka was vandalised and its driver threatened in Rameswaram by Naam Tamilar Katchi party workers.

Siddaramaiah Asks Jayalalithaa to Restore Peace

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday afternoon wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to intervene as the violence over Cauvery water worsened.

Chennai Hotel Attack: A Trigger to the Protests

The New Indian Express reported that the New Woodlands Hotel in Mylapore, Chennai, was attacked in the wee hours of Monday by a suspected pro-Tamil group.

New Woodlands Hotel was attacked on Monday amidst the ongoing Cauvery dispute. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute) 

The group left behind a note claiming that this was in retaliation for the violence that Tamils face in Karnataka.

Police officers confirmed that they have detained four attackers.

The attack took place between 3 am to 3:15 am. Around seven to eight people had attacked the hotel. People hurled stones and shattered the glass panes.

A police officer

Attackers Hurled Stones at the Hotel

The New Indian Express had reported that the hotel employees have told the police that six petrol bombs were hurled at the premises. Police, however, denied and said only stones were hurled at the hotel and that ‘something’ was burnt.

Picture of the remnants of what looks like petrol bombs at the New Woodlands Hotel. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

The attackers left behind a note that said:

‘If Tamils continue to be assaulted in Karnataka, Kannadiga work places here (in Tamil Nadu) will be attacked. Kannadigas live here too. Beware.’

A snapshot of the note left by the attackers. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

Metro services in the city have also been stopped for some time following the attack.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the attack and said that Tamil Nadu should take action on the perpetrators.

The Woodlands hotel chain, which is reputed all over the world, was founded about 70 years back by Krishna Rao.

A student was thrashed for writing a Facebook post against Kannadiga actors. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

A video of a student being thrashed for writing a Facebook post against Kannadiga actors had gone viral on social media, inciting anger among the Tamil people. There have been no other such instances.

(With inputs from The News Minute.)

Also Read:
Cauvery Row: Youth Thrashed for Post Against Kannada Actors
Cauvery Water Dispute: Bandh Brings Karnataka to a Halt