Cauvery protests: KTS Tulsi urges K'taka, TN to ensure safety of citizens

With situation getting tense in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as protests escalate over the Cauvery water issue, senior advocate KTS Tulsi on Tuesday urged both the state governments to ensure safety of citizens and dispel rumours which are currently ruling the roost.

"Well it's a very serious matter. The rumours are ruling the roost. I think Tamil Nadu should ensure the safety of Kannads in Tamil Nadu and in fact Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has already guaranteed and assured Siddaramaiah that she will ensure the safety of Kannads in Tamil Nadu," Tulsi told ANI.

"Similarly, the Karnataka Government should ensure the safety and security of Tamilians in Karnataka. There should be no room for rumours. The Chief Ministers of both the states should come on the television and clarify that the rumours are false," he added.

The situation in Bengaluru yesterday seemed to be spiralling out of control as a civilian was killed in the soaring violence and the protestors began pelting stones at the residence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's residence.

One civilian was killed and another injured in the police firing near Hegganahalli area in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured full assistance to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments to deal with the current state of violence that is prevailing in both the states over the Cauvery water issue.

Earlier, in wake of the protests erupting over the Cauvery issue, Jayalalithaa wrote to Siddaramaiah, requesting him to ensure safety and security of Tamilians residing in Karnataka.

The Bengaluru Police yesterday imposed Section 144 of the CRPC, meaning that no more than five people will be allowed to gather in public places in the city.

Massive violence broke out in parts of the city as several trucks, school buses and bus stands were seen being set on fire by the pro-Kannada protestors in West Bengaluru.

Protesters were seen targeting vehicles bearing Tamil Nadu registration numbers and set them on fire. They also vandalised trucks near Hubli bypass in Karnataka.

Meanwhile, saying "we will fight it legally", Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has requested pro-Kannada activists and farmers associations to maintain peace.

"Our appeal is if you are protesting, please protest peacefully. We know that injustice has been done to Karnataka. We have deployed sufficient amount of police force. We have got support from Centre," Parameshwara said.

Siddaramaiah has also appealed for peace and has written to his counterpart in Tamil Nadu, urging her to ensure the safety of Kannada speaking people living in the state. He also urged the Tamil Nadu authorities to take action against those indulging in violence.

Modifying its September 5 order, the apex court yesterday asked the Karnataka Government to release to release 12000 cusecs of Cauvery River water every day to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

It had earlier directed the Government of Karnataka to release of 15,000 cusecs of water for 10 days as immediate relief to farmers in Tamil Nadu.