Bengaluru: Ahead of a state-wide bandh in Tamil Nadu tomorrow over the raging Cauvery issue, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today wrote to his counterpart J Jayalalithaa requesting her to ensure protection of the lives and properties of Kannada speaking people.

“I am deeply concerned that certain organisations have  called for a bandh in Tamil Nadu tomorrow. You would agree that any escalation of animosity between the two states would be to the collective detriment of both the states,” he said in his letter, a copy of which was released to the media here.

“I would request you to kindly take all steps to ensure that during the so-called bandh on 16.09.2016, no untoward incident takes place and the lives and properties of Kannada speaking people in Tamil Nadu are protected,” the release said.

Siddaramaiah also requested her to issue an advisory to the media to report “responsibly” the incidents relating to the Cauvery agitation as was done by his government.

The bandh has been called by farmers’ and traders’ bodies tomorrow to protest against the “violence” targeting Tamils in Karnataka and seek a long-term solution to the water sharing issue.

It is supported by DMK, MDMK, PMK, CPI(M), CPI and others.

Violence had erupted in the city on Monday with dozens of buses and lorries with Tamil Nadu number plate being set on  fire as mobs let out their fury over reports of some incidents of attack on Kannadigas and their properties in Tamil Nadu.

It flared up soon after the apex court gave its amended order, directing Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

On September 9, a bandh was observed in Karnataka to protest against the Supreme Court’s earlier order directing it to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 10 days.

Siddaramaih said while the issue of Cauvery water sharing was being adjudicated by the courts and looked into by the Cauvery Supervisory Committee, no benefit can be accrued by anyone through bandhs and agitations.

“We have issued an advisory to the media to report responsibly the incidents relating to the Cauvery agitation. I would request you to kindly do the same.

“I have instructed my Additional Chief Secretary, Home  and Director General of Police to be in touch with your  authorities. I would request you to kindly advice your  officers to be in touch with their counterparts in Karnataka,” he said.

Voicing concern over incidents of violence against  Kannada speaking people, Siddaramaiah had on Monday written a similar letter to Jayalalithaa asking her to ensure their safety and protection while assuring her that interests of Tamils in the state would also be safeguarded.

As violence broke out in the city, hours after this missive, Jayalalithaa made a similar appeal to Siddaramaiah  through a letter describing the violence in Karnataka as  “alarming”.

Acknowledging Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s letter today  Siddaramaiah said, “Let me assure you that the Government of  Karnataka is committed to protect the lives and properties of  all residents of Karnataka regardless of their religion or  language.”

“I had pointed out to you in my previous letter of 12.09.2016 that incidents of violence against Kannada speaking people in Tamil Nadu would incite passions threatening peace in our state. Unfortunately, violence erupted on (Sept) 12th despite all the precautions taken by us,” he said.

The Karnataka CM said, however, the situation was brought under control within hours and a large number of cases had been booked against rioters and strict action taken to ensure violence did not spread.

“I have also issued strict instructions to the law and and order machinery to ensure that such incidents are not  repeated,” he added.

(Agencies)

Representational Image.

Bengaluru: In a first of its kind attack in India’s Silicon Valley, goons in the garb of ‘cow protecters’, have allegedly attacked a Muslim family in the city’s Bannerghatta area.

The incident allegedly took place around 2 PM, when the family had gathered in their farm house to slaughter a sacrificial animal, when a gang of around 300 goons forcefully entered their house, and attacked them, including women.

Saad, a family friend, who spoke to Nasheman.in, said that, a family member, who was recording the attack on his mobile phone was slapped by the miscreants and also tried to snatch his phone away.

According to Saad, the family who went to lodged a complaint with the Bannerghatta police, are still placed there, as the station is currently surrounded by the goons. The panicked family, has switched off their mobile phones at the behest of the police.

The police have still not filed an FIR.

Awaiting more details.

Voicing concern over attacks on state vehicles and a hotel run by a native of Karnataka in Tamil Nadu amid the ongoing Cauvery row, the State government today asked its Tamil Nadu counterpart to take steps for the safety of Kannadigas living there and to protect their property.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would write to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to help maintain cordiality between the states, which are now locked in a bitter row over release of Cauvery water.

Siddaramaiah said he would also speak to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, if necessary, on the incidents targeting Kannadigas.

The state Chief Secretary and Director General of Police had spoken to their Tamil Nadu counterparts and asked them to ensure stern action against the culprits and that such incidents did not recur, Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

While seeking measures to protect the interests of Kannadigas in Tamil Nadu, it had been assured to Tamil Nadu that similarly, steps would be taken for the safety of Tamils in the state and also their property, he said.

Siddaramaiah also advised the media “not to glorify” certain incidents relating to “sensitive” issues and be restrained in reporting them.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said police forces had been deployed in areas where Tamils live in large numbers in Bengaluru and elsewhere in Karnataka. “We have taken precautions.”

He appealed to people of both states not to resort to violence.

Asked about a Tamil engineering student being beaten up allegedly by a group of people here for posting ‘derogatory’ remarks against some Kannada actors and against the Cauvery agitation, with a video capturing the incident going viral, he said it was a “small incident“.

Parameshwara said the police tried to contact the student but he was not available, adding, “small incidents should not be blown out of proportion.”

Suspected pro-Tamil protesters on Monday attacked and damaged a hotel run by a native of Karnataka in Chennai, damaging its window panes using iron rods and wooden logs.

Seven tourist vehicles bearing Karnataka registration parked at a temple in Rameswaram were damaged allegedly by activists of various outfits including Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam.

Meanwhile, Bangalore Tamil Sangam on Monday asked Siddaramaiah to direct the police to maintain law and order and provide security to all Tamils living in the state.

“We request you to kindly instruct the police to maintain law and order and provide security to all Tamilians living in the state,” Sangam President Damodaran told PTI here.

He also urged the media, especially visual, not to “incite” people of both the states by sensationalising the news of violence.

He urged the central government to intervene to solve the vexed problem.

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday refused to accept the resignation of its legislator Amanatullah Khan, against whom an FIR was registered a day ago following molestation charges levelled by his sister-in-law.

“We refused to accept his (Khan’s) resignation. It’s a six-year-old family matter and his in-laws are dragging him into it,” Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told a press conference here.

“We have found out in our investigation that he is being dragged into it,” he added.

On Saturday, a complaint was registered against Khan at the Jamia Nagar police station in south Delhi.

(Agencies)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court modified its order on the sharing of the Cauvery water on Monday and asked Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs per day to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

The Court had earlier ordered Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 10 days.

The apex court expressed anguish over “tone and tenor” of Karnataka’s plea.

“Citizens and executive of this country have to accept and obey order of the Supreme Court unless it is modified.” Justice Dipak Misra observed.

Apex court decided to hold a hearing on Cauvery dispute though it is closed for a holiday.

Karnataka Government had asked Supreme Court to suspend September 5th order saying the agony claimed by Tamil Nadu on water crisis did not exist.

It also requested the apex court to reduce the quantum of water to be released from river Cauvery to Tamil Nadu, from 15,000 cusecs to 10,000 cusecs per day.

(Agencies)