An uneasy peace prevailed all over Tamil Nadu on Tuesday in spite of reports from Karnataka that there were widespread attacks and rioting against Tamils and their properties in connection with the legal battle for Cauvery water being enacted at the Supreme Court between the two States.
A heavy posse of policemen was posted in front of all business establishments owned by Kannadigas in Tamil Nadu. Following Monday’s attacks on hotel chains and vehicles in Tamil Nadu owned by Kannadigas, Chief Minister
J Jayalalithaa instructed Tamil Nadu Police to ensure safety and security of people and their properties all over the State.
Hotels and offices owned by Kannadigas have been brought under a security blanket by deploying armed police guards. Meanwhile in a letter to her Karnataka counterpart Siddharamaiah on Tuesday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa pleaded for security and safety to the people from Tamil Nadu based in Karnataka.
Describing Monday’s incidents at Chennai and Ramanathapuram (where vehicles with Karnataka registration were attacked by Tamil groups) as minor in nature, Jayalalithaa told Siddharamiah that all those who were behind the attacks have been arrested. But she expressed apprehension over the reports from Karnataka that Tamil people were under attack and siege. “I am concerned that the situation in Karnataka is serious with several instances of mob violence targeting Tamil speaking persons and their property. As per the reports received, the violence has escalated and a large number of vehicles, including more than 40 buses, 45 lorries and many other vehicles bearing Tamil Nadu number plates have been burnt and damaged.
Groups of protesters from Karnataka are regularly assembling at the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border near Hosur and threatening vehicles and commuters from Tamil Nadu. Hotels and properties belonging to Tamils in Karnataka are being attacked and damaged. This is an alarming situation and is causing considerable anxiety,” Jayalalithaa wrote in the letter, excerpts of which were released to the media on Tuesday.