Sporadic violence broke out on Monday in Bengaluru city and some other parts of Karnataka amid the raging Cauvery water-sharing row, with the Siddaramaiah government asking Tamil Nadu to protect Kannadigas and assuring to safeguard Tamils in the state.
Trucks with Tamil Nadu registration numbers were either stoned or set on fire in Bengaluru, Mandya, Mysuru, Chitradurga and Dharwad districts as Kannada activists gave vent to their anger over alleged attacks on state vehicles and property of Kannadigas in the neighbouring state.
Bengaluru city police even implemented Section 144 — gathering of more than 10 people will result in criminal charges.
#CauveryIssue : As A Preventive Measure #Section144 CrPC Is Imposed In Bengaluru City From 1700 Hours Today @CPBlr
— BengaluruCityPolice (@BlrCityPolice) September 12, 2016
The violence flared up shortly after the Supreme Court, modifying its September 5 order, on Monday asked Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.
The predominant sentiment on Twitter seemed to be “why this rage”, with disappointment, shock and anger.
The whole issue is about shortage of water, so, people should really avoid protesting by setting things on fire.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) September 12, 2016
Jayalaithaa and Sidhharamiah need to sit down and sort this out. Put India above politics! #CauveryIssue
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 12, 2016
Welcome to India. We share Indus with Pakistan but we won’t share Cauvery among ourselves. Stop infighting.#CauveryIssue
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) September 12, 2016
Good examples, we won’t follow. But one blithering idiot throws a stone and suddenly two states are at war.
— Prem Panicker (@prempanicker) September 12, 2016
Politicians politicising #CauveryIssue. Media playing up the violence to incite more public. Miscreants gone crazy. Why this Cauvery di?😔
— गीतिका (@ggiittiikkaa) September 12, 2016
Shut down the News Channels for 2 hours. Everything will be normal in the next 1 hour. #CauveryIssue
— Sunil (@sunilkk) September 12, 2016
#CauveryIssue Appealing to people KAR & TN maintain peace.Some fringe groups want create chaos. Media should play active role to ensure it
— Suraj Hegde (@SurajMNHegde) September 12, 2016
Be a Kannadiga or a Tamilian. The moment you resort to violence and hurt innocent people, you’ve become a filthy Criminal. #CauveryIssue
— Dinesh Babu (@kgdinesh) September 12, 2016
TV channels celebrating Cauvery issue … “big STORY”, “WAR-for-water” and what not. SHAME on you .. you are the real poison.
— Pramode C.E (@pramode_ce) September 12, 2016
But there was some measure of goodwill as well:
Stay safe Bangalore!
— Hershey (@RogerisGod) September 12, 2016
A Kannadian safely dropped a Tamilian(me) in his home at Bangalore during the tense situation. Hope this kind of #love spreads #CauveryIssue
— Ramanathan (@smile_rams) September 12, 2016
We sure hope this blows over soon!
(With PTI inputs)
Featured image: PTI
