Cauvery water wars: Puducherry bandh on Friday; BJP pledges its support

Several Tamil outfits have called Puducherry bandh on Friday to condemn the violence against Tamils in Karnataka in the wake of Cauvery row. The Puducherry unit of the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) has pledged its support to the bandh.

“The BJP will extend its support to the bandh being observed in the Union Territory tomorrow to condemn the against the violence against Tamils in Karnataka,” President of the Puducherry unit of BJP V Saminathan in said.

“The Congress government in Karnataka is ignoring and dishonouring the Supreme court order to release water to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry,” he added.

A 12-hour bandh in Puducherry has been called by more than 30 Tamil fringe outfits including Tamizhar Desiya Iyyakkam, Makkal Vazhuvurimai Iyakkam and Tamizhaga Makkal Vazhuvurimai Katchi on September 16. Bengaluru witnessed violent protests by Kannada groups on Monday. The widespread protests had left two persons dead. 

Vehicles bearing Tamil Nadu registration were set on fire and damaged even as commercial establishments owned by Tamils were targeted in Karnataka.

In Tamil Nadu, restaurants owned by Kannadigas and vehicles bearing Karnataka registration were attacked by fringe outfits in some places on September 12. 

(With inputs from PTI)