Cauvery row: 15,000 policemen deployed in Bengaluru in wake of protests

There is unrest in Bengaluru over Cauvery water issue and there are reports of stone pelting, cars being vandalised

An atmosphere of panic prevailed in Karnataka capital Bengaluru on Monday, as stray incidents of violence were reported in parts of the state as well as in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery River water dispute.

It was rumoured that Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), wherein prohibitory orders had been imposed, which the state police later denied. It asked people not to believe in rumours and to maintain calm and peace.

15,000 police men and officers have been deployed all over the city in wake of protests. Police have been deployed in Tamil populated areas like Tanary road, Hegde Nagar, Sri Rampura and Kalasi Palyam.

The Bengaluru Police has also deployed quick reactions teams, Rapid Action Force teams, City Armed Reserve police and Karnataka State Reserve Police in the entire city

Metro services resumed in the city after 20 minutes of suspension. Following fresh protests, maximum schools in the city were closed or asked to shut down early today. Bus services (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) from Bengaluru to Tamil Nadu have been temporarily suspended from the city.

Incidents of stones pelting were reported at a Karnataka Bank branch in Chennai's Anna Nagar.

There were reports of some shops and Tamil Nadu registration cars being vandalised. A number of stores and markets in parts of the city downed their shutters as a precautionary measure.

There were reports of crowds stopping Tamil Nadu registered vehicles at Whitefield in Bengaluru.

The Karnataka Government earlier in the day appealed to people across the state to maintain peace in view of reports that a group of unidentified assailants had attacked the New Woodlands Hotel in Mylapore, Tamil Nadu, over the ongoing Cauvery water row between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said for both states to live in peace such incidents should not occur.

"We will take action against them, we have to ensure that there is no anger related issues on both sides," he added.

Modifying its September 5 order, the Supreme Court today asked the Government of Karnataka 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.