Bengaluru: One person was killed and another injured in police firing in Karnataka as the Cauvery water sharing row with Tamil Nadu turned violent on Monday, escalating tensions between the two states even as dozens of buses were set ablaze by protesters.
Widespread violence erupted 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.
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, said.
An unruly mob also resorted to stone pelting at Karnataka chief minister Siddharamiah's residence in Mysuru.
According to IG HQ Umesh Kumar, 20 paramilitary forces have been deployed in trouble hit areas and the curfew will be in place till the next orders are passed.
Schools too have been told to remain shut until the situation returns to normalcy.
A prominent transport company depot in the city bore the brunt with at least 30 buses going up in flames.
Also read: Cauvery Dispute: 40 Buses Set On Fire in Bengaluru, Section 144 Imposed
Managing Director of Salem headquartered KPN Tours and Travels Limited Rajesh Natarajan claimed in Chennai 40 of his buses were set on fire.
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.
"We expected that if the decision goes against us, there will be some protest, but definitely not to this extent."
He said 200 people been detained in connection with the violence.
Trucks with Tamil Nadu registration number plate were either stoned or set on fire also in Mandya, Mysuru, Chitradurga and Dharwad districts as Kannada activists gave vent to their anger over attacks on state vehicles and property of Kannadigas in the neighbouring state and also against the apex court'S modified order.
The Supreme Court, modifying its September 5 order, today asked Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.
In its September 5 order, the apex court had directed release of 15,000 cusecs for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of the neighbouring state, which had triggered strong protests from farmers and pro-Kannada outfits with Karnataka observing a bandh against it on September nine.
In Delhi, the Cauvery Supervisory Committee also met but failed to arrive at a decision on quantum of water to be released to Tamil Nadu and other states pursuant to the Supreme Court order and decided to meet again on September 19.
Earlier, voicing concern over violence against Kannada speaking people and their properties in Tamil Nadu over the past two days, Siddaramaiah wrote to Jayalalithaa to ensure adequate safety and protection to Kannada speaking people in Tamil Nadu.
(With inputs from PTI)
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