From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Sep 15: Security has been beefed up Karnataka, especially along with the highways connecting Tamil Nadu and in the Cauvery basin districts of Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Bengaluru rural and the city and particularly in the Tamil predominant areas, in view of the State-wide dusk to dawn bandh in the neighbouring State over the Cauvery water issue.
Karnataka’s G-IGP has spoken to his counterpart in Tamil Nadu and appealed to ensure safety and security of Kannada-speaking people in that State.
The State has deployed additional police forces at KRS reservoir and other dams in Cauvery Basin.
To prevent untoward incidents, 20 companies of Rapid Action Force, 40 companies of Karnataka State Reserve Police and 6,000 policemen have been deployed in Bengaluru City and Cauvery basin districts.
Karnataka’s Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara told reporters in Bengaluru after reviewing the State’s law and order situation with senior police officers on Thursday that the State was determined to ensure that there would be no untoward incidents in any parts of the State.
CM writes to Jaya
Meanwhile, Karnataka Government on Thursday assured Tamil Nadu that it is committed to protect the lives and properties of all residents of Karnataka regardless of their religion or language.
In response to a letter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said: ``I had pointed out to you in my previous letter of September 12 that incidents of violence against Kannada-speaking people in Tamil Nadu would incite passions threatening peace in our State.’’
Unfortunately, violence erupted on September 12 despite all the precautions taken by the State Government.
However, the situation was brought under control in the State within hours.
“We have booked a large number of cases against rioters and have taken strict action to ensure violence does not spread. I have also issued strict instructions to the law and order machinery to ensure that such incidents are not repeated,’’ Siddaramaiah said in his letter.
While the issue of Cauvery water sharing is being adjudicated by the courts and looked into by the Cauvery Supervisory Committee, no benefit can be had by anybody through bandh and agitations, he said.
“I am deeply concerned that certain organisations have called for a bandh in Tamil Nadu tomorrow. You would appreciate that any escalation of animosity between two states would be to the collective detrimental of both the States,’’ he said.
Siddaramaiah requested Ms Jayalalithaa to take all steps to ensure that during the so-called bandh on Friday no untoward incident take place and the lives and properties of Kannada-speaking people in Tamil Nadu are protected.
“We have issued an advisory to the media to report responsibly the incidents relating to the Cauvery agitation. I would request you to kindly do the same. I have instructed by additional Chief Secretary, Home and Director General of Police to be in touch with your authorities. I would request you to kindly advice your officers to be in touch with their counterparts in Karnataka,’’ Siddaramaiah said.