'Pained' PM Modi says restraint, mutual dialogue only solution to Cauvery dispute

A pained Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to display sensitivity and appealed for restraint and mutual dialogue as he felt this was the only solution to resolving the Cauvery water dispute.

"Dear brothers and sisters, the situation that has emerged in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, as a fallout of the issue of distribution of the waters of the Cauvery River, is distressful. I am personally pained at the developments. Violence cannot provide a solution to any problem. In a democracy, solutions are found through restraint and mutual dialogue," Prime Minister Modi said in a statement.

He said the dispute can only be solved within the legal ambit, adding that breaking the law is not a viable alternative.

Prime Minister Modi said the violence and arson seen in the last two days is only causing loss to the poor and to the nation's property.

"Whenever the country has faced adverse circumstances, the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, just like people across the country, have always handled the situation with sensitivity," he said.

"I appeal to the people of the two states to display sensitivity and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities. I trust you will keep national interest and nation building above all else, and give priority to restraint, harmony, and finding a solution, eschewing violence, destruction and arson," the Prime Minister added.

Prime Minister Modi's appeal came after Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu appealed for calm and peace in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Naidu said such violence and destruction of property negates the rule of law and ultimately impacts the life of a common man.

Following the ongoing unrest in Bengaluru over the Cauvery water sharing row, central forces have been deployed to assist the city police to maintain law and order.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday 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.

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

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.

In Karnataka, one person was killed and another injured in police firing in Bengaluru yesterday.

With protests escalating in the wake of Cauvery water dispute that escalated between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, 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.

Modifying its September 5 order, the Supreme Court yesterday asked the Karnataka Government to release to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water every day to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

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