Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sought protection to Kannadigas and their properties living in Tamil Nadu over the State bandh call given by many Tamil organisations on Friday. In a letter written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday Siddaramaiah requested her to ensure protection of lives and properties of Kannada speaking people.
He said “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.”
“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 on Friday 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 other Tamil outfits .
Siddaramaiah 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.
It was a mayhem in Bengaluru 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.
Siddaramaiah also assured Jayalalithaa that Karnataka was 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 order machinery to ensure that such incidents are not repeated,” he added.
Siddaramaiah also held a meeting with the legal experts regarding Cauvery who advised him to seek the intervention of the Prime Minister to resolve the Cauvery issue by convening a meeting of the chief ministers of riparian states.
Minister for law and Parliamentary Affairs T B Jayachandra, speaking to newsmen, said that “they have given valuable suggestions and their advice will be taken into consideration before placing the State’s position before the Supervisory Committee meeting on Friday.”
Meanwhile agitators opposing Cauvery water release to Tamil Nadu on Thursday made a vain bid to launch rail roko agitation in many parts of Karnataka as Police in adequate strength thwarted their attempt.
Hundreds of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and other pro-Kannada activists, former legislator Vatal Nagaraj and others who tried to stop trains at Udupi, Chitradurga, Koppal, Bengaluru Cantonment and Sangoli Rayana Railway Station in the city, at Mandya and Mysuru were taken into custody.