Cauvery protests: SC says people can't take law onto themselves, asks Karnataka, Tamil Nadu to ensure there is no violence

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to ensure there is no violence and destruction of property in both states following its order on Cauvery water dispute. The apex court said: "It's duty of states to see that no agitation and damage take place."

"There should be no violence when there is a court order and aggrieved parties can take legal recourse, the SC further said.

"When there is a court order, it has to be complied with. People can't take law onto themselves; it's obligation of authorities of both states to take preventive action," said the court.

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The top court also asked both states' counsels to go through petition and file reply by September 20. Earlier on Wednesday, the top court had agreed to hear a plea seeking direction to the Centre, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain law and order in these two states witnessing violent protests in the wake of a row over distribution of Cauvery water.

Senior advocate Adish Aggarwala, appearing for P Shivakumar, had sought urgent hearing of the PIL saying that there is a state-wide bandh in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will have same kind of protest across that state.

He said the states be directed to take prompt action against the protesters to maintain law and order and provide security to private and public properties and the citizens of both the states.

Shivakumar, who claims to be a social activist, has also sought a direction that the leaders of the protest be held accountable for the damage caused to the properties and be asked to pay up for them.

On September 12, the apex court modified its earlier order on sharing of Cauvery water and directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs instead of 15,000 cusecs per day till September 20 to Tamil Nadu.

Rejecting Karnataka's plea seeking placing in abeyance for its earlier order, the court asked the executives to ensure compliance.
The apex court bench was critical of the language used in the fresh plea of Karnataka seeking to keep in abeyance the September 5 order asking it to release 15,000 cusecs water per day to Tamil Nadu. 

(With inputs from PTI)