New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed to people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to "display sensitivity" and maintain calm, and said the Cauvery river water dispute can be solved within the legal ambit.

"I appeal to the people of the two states to display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities," Modi wrote on Twitter.

He also expressed his unhappiness over the incidents of violence, and said: "I am personally pained at the developments."

Modi said the entire episode is "distressful".

Modi hoped the people would keep "national interest and nation building" above all else, and that disputes like the present one could only be solved through talks.

"Violence cannot provide a solution to any problem. In a democracy, solutions are found through restraint and mutual dialogue," he said.

Modi urged people to give priority to restraint, harmony, and stay away from violence, destruction and arson.

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

Modi's comments come as one person was killed in police firing on Monday night and curfew was in force in 16 sensitive localities in Bengaluru after protests turned violent in southern Karnataka over releasing Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu.