B'lore: Hogenakkal Row - Karnataka State Bundh on April 10
ENS
Bangalore, Apr 2: Under the aegis of Akhila Karnataka Gadi Horata Samithi, various pro-Kannada organisations have called for Karnataka Bandh on April 10 to protest against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s remarks on the Hogenakkal project.
At a meeting held on Tuesday under the leadership of Vatal Nagraj, the Samithi has decided to request all political parties and people to support the statewide agitation.
The organisations have also decided to call for a Railway Satyagraha at the Bangalore City Railway Station on April 4, a National Highway Satyagraha and also demanded that Tamil Nadu stop work on Hogenakkal project immediately, a release issued by the Samithi said.
Further, the pro-Kannada groups have decided to stall the screening of Tamil films and black out Tamil television channels all over the State.
Vatal Nagaraj also urged the President to take serious notice of Karunanidhi’s remarks, which have created unrest in both the states and demanded that the project should be put on hold.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Karantaka Film Chambers of Commerce, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Dalit Sangarsha Samithi, Kannada Sena and others to chalk out agitation programmes against Tamil Nadu and its Chief Minister.
On Tuesday, Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha activists burned effigies of Karunanidhi and PMK leader Ramadoss at the city’s Kempegowda bus terminal.
A report from Mysore said Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists stopped a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus which was heading towards Ooty and deflated one of its tyres.
In other parts of the state too the KRV activists staged rasta rokos, demonstrations and burnt the effigy of Karunanidhi. However, protests were peaceful. No untoward incident was reported from any part of the State.
Security for Tamils and Karunadhi’s daughter:
Meanwhile: Bangalore Police Commissioner N Achuta Rao told reporters in the city on Tuesday that security has been beefed up and necessary arrangements have been made to prevent any untoward incidents in the city.
“We will not tolerate any violence. We have taken all the precautionary measures to maintain law and order. Instructions have been given to police officers to curb activities involving violence and also take stern action against people indulging in such acts.”
“Security has been provided in Tamil colonies, theatres and Tamil organisations. Besides, tight security has been provided at Karunanidhi’s daughter Selvi’s house in JP Nagar,” Rao added.
Police on Tuesday took Kannada activist Basavaraj Padukote in custody in connection with violence in the City on Monday.
Counter strike: Meanwhile, Bangalore Tamil Sangam has also decided to organise a rally shortly from Sangam to Raj Bhavan to bring to the Governor’s notice ‘the urgent need for protection of fundamental rights of Tamilians living in Karnataka’.
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