Bengaluru/Chennai, Sep 12 (PTI): One person was killed and another injured in police firing in Karnataka as the Cauvery water sharing row with Tamil Nadu turned violent today, escalating tensions between the two states.

Widespread violence erupted today in Bengaluru 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.

"Two were brought with bullet injuries. One with bullet injury near the heart has died. The other is being operated for injury on right thigh," Dr. Giridhar, Managing Director of Lakshmi Multi-Speciality Hospital, where they were taken told PTI tonight.

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.

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.

Managing Director of Salem headquartered KPN Tours and Travels Limited Rajesh Natarajan claimed in Chennai 40 of his buses were set on fire.

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.

In view of the deteriorating situation, the Centre rushed 10 companies (about 1,000 personnel) of the special anti-riot paramilitary force RAF to Karnataka.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also called up Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu tonight and assured them all central assistance in handling the law and order situation.

After Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke to Singh, an official statement issued in Bengaluru described the situation as "fully under control".

The Union Home Minister responded "positively" to the request for aditional central forces, it said.

Describing the violence in Karnataka as alarming, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote to Siddaramaiah, seeking protection for Tamil speaking people and their property, hours after he had made a similar plea to her.

Earlier report

Reports of sporadic violence, Metro suspended in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 12 (DHNS): The Cauvery river water dispute sparked off sporadic incidents of violence in parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Following Supreme Court’s refusal to suspend its earlier order on sharing Cauvery waters on Monday, Kannada activists blocked roads in several areas of Bengaluru raising slogans against Tamil Nadu.

Bengaluru Metro services have been suspended.

Miscreants were seen attacking vehicles and shops in different parts of the city.

Police had to lathi charge agitators twice at Satellite bus stand on the Mysore road. At least one lorry with Tamil Nadu registration was set on fire at Nayandahalli.

TV reports said schools and colleges are shutting down voluntarily, sending students home.

Cauvery row: Tamil outfit creates ruckus inside Karnataka Bank

Puducherry, Sep 12 (PTI) : Volunteers of a Tamil fringe outfit today barged into Karnataka Bank branch here and created ruckus, protesting against the ongoing agitations in the neighbouring state opposing release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, police said.

Around 25 workers of Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi entered the branch on Misson Street wielding broomsticks, banged them on the tables and asked the bank staff to vacate the premises. The staff ran helter skelter while the panic-stricken customers rushed out. Police men, who were deployed in the vicinity, rushed there and took the protesters into custody.

The bank was closed for a few hours after the incident and later reopened. However, it was again shut following advice from police. Earlier, volunteers and leaders of various Tamil outfits came in a procession and staged a demonstration a few metres away from the bank protesting against the Karnataka government and condemned the attack on a Tamil youth by a group of men in Bengaluru for allegedly posting "derogatory" remarks on social media against Kannada film actors.

Besides condemning the ongoing agitations in Karnataka over the Cauvery issue, the protesters shouted slogans against the Karnataka government, alleging that it had failed to protect the properties of Tamils there.