Cauvery Dispute: 40 Buses Set On Fire in Bengaluru, Section 144 Imposed

Bengaluru: At least 40 buses were set on fire in Bengaluru on Monday even as prohibitory orders under Section 144 were imposed throughout the IT city following the violence that erupted and spread across Karnataka over the Cauvery water sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu.

Around 200 people were detained after vehicles belonging to Tamilians were targeted in the city in retaliation against similar attacks on shops and trucks belonging to Kannadigas.

According to Karnataka DGP Om Prakash, Kengeri is the most effected area and all units of the Rapid Action Force have been posted here.

This was hours after a Kannadiga-run restaurant was attacked in Chennai and Karnataka registration buses faced the brunt of a raging dispute over the water sharing issue.

The busy Bengaluru-Mysore highway which reopened for public traffic just a day ago has once again been blocked by angry protestors. The bus service between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has also been halted.

Also read: Cauvery Row: SC Cuts Down Water Release to 12,000 Cusecs Per Day

Bengaluru's Namma Metro also suspended the operations after 3 PM.

The city police imposed section 144 in the city and school buses were stranded in some parts of the city leaving parents worried over the safety of their children.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has appealed for calm and has asked all pro-Kannada organisations to show restraint. He warned of strict action against the miscreants and also said that he will request Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa to keep the situation under control.

"We have deployed forces at central points. We have taken utmost precautions and received support from the Centre. We have deployed sufficient amount of police," State Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara told the media during a press conference.

"I appeal to people of both the states to maintain peace. There is a relief of 3000 cusecs of water. In fact we are not happy about it and we will appeal again in the apex court. Small incidents of violence should not be blown out of proportion," Parameshwara added.

"There is no loss of life and the police is doing its job. We will immediately control the situation. The violence will be brought down soon," Karnataka DGP Om Prakash told CNN News18.

Tension was brewing in the city and across the Mysuru region, including Mandya since Monday afternoon after the apex court directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs daily from Tuesday up to September 20 in response to the state's interim petition to allow it only 10,000 cusecs daily for six days - from September 7 to September 12.

Security has been beefed up for business establishments owned by Kannadigas and also outside the homes of noted Kannada personalities in Tamil Nadu, police said on Monday.

(With inputs from IANS)