Cauvery water war: Karnataka burns as protests turn violent

Cauvery water war: Karnataka burns as protests turn violent

One person was killed and another injured in police firing in Karnataka as the Cauvery water sharing row with Tamil Nadu turned violent on Monday, escalating tensions between the two states. Widespread violence erupted on Monday in Bangaluru and some other parts of Karnataka, while sporadic trouble was witnessed in Tamil Nadu following Supreme Court’s modified order on sharing Cauvery water by the two riparian states.  Police opened fire when a mob tried to attack a patrol vehicle at Hegganahalli in Rajagopal Nagar police limits as violence flared up in Bengaluru city with rampaging mobs setting fire to buses and trucks with Tamil Nadu registration plates.

Cauvery water war: Karnataka burns as protests turn violent

Soon after the apex court gave its amended order, directing Karnataka to release 12000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu till September 20, violence and arson flared up in Bengaluru, with rampaging mobs setting afire at least 30 vehicles bearing Tamil Nadu number plates.

Cauvery water war: Karnataka burns as protests turn violent

As violence broke out sending a wave of panic across Bengaluru, the city was brought under prohibitory orders till September 14. A prominent transport company depot in the city bore the brunt with at least 30 buses going up in flames.

Cauvery water war: Karnataka burns as protests turn violent

Incidents of arson came even as police said they have made elaborate security arrangements with 15,000 policemen being deployed, bolstered by Karnataka State Reserve Police, City Armed Reserve Police, Rapid Action Force, Quick Reaction Teams, special forces, Central Industrial Security Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force.

Cauvery water war: Karnataka burns as protests turn violent

Trucks with Tamil Nadu registration number plate were either stoned or set on fire also in Mandya, Mysuru, Chitradurga and Dharwad districts as Kannada activists gave vent to their anger over attacks on state vehicles and property of Kannadigas in the neighbouring state and also against the apex court’S modified order.