The protest against the recent Supreme Court's order on the release of water to Tamil Nadu, over the last one week, has now turned into widespread violence on the streets of South Karnataka. Several private buses, trucks and other vehicles bearing TN (Tamil Nadu) registration have been torched by rioters in Bengaluru, Mysore and other parts of South Karnataka. Mobsters have set on fire more than 30 buses belonging to the KPN travels inside its Bengaluru bus depot.
Earlier during the day isolated events of rioting in Tamil Nadu, by some Pro-Tamil groups were reported in the media. Videos purportedly showing a truck driver from Karnataka and a youth from Tamil Nadu being beaten up by frenzy mobs seems to have gone viral on the social media. On Monday, although the Supreme Court modified its order, directing the Government of Karnataka to release only 12,000 Cusecs of water - 3000 Cusecs lesser than its earlier order, protests in Karnataka turned into reckless mob violence.
At present the situation is volatile in Karnataka. Ten special anti-riot paramilitary force RAF, 20,000 home guards and 185 KSRP Platoons have been deployed. Section 144 CrPC has also been imposed in the city of Bengaluru. The situation has heightened the safety concerns of Tamil speaking people living in Karnataka. With fear of retaliatory violence looming large, both Chief Ministers have reached out to each other requesting the safety of people from their states. They are also in touch with the Union Home Minister for the center's assistance in bringing the situation under control. In the meantime, a person named Umesh (22) hailing from Kunigal, has got killed when police opened fire to disperse a mob in Northeast Bengaluru. Five others have got wounded in the incident.
Earlier during the day isolated events of rioting in Tamil Nadu, by some Pro-Tamil groups were reported in the media. Videos purportedly showing a truck driver from Karnataka and a youth from Tamil Nadu being beaten up by frenzy mobs seems to have gone viral on the social media. On Monday, although the Supreme Court modified its order, directing the Government of Karnataka to release only 12,000 Cusecs of water - 3000 Cusecs lesser than its earlier order, protests in Karnataka turned into reckless mob violence.
At present the situation is volatile in Karnataka. Ten special anti-riot paramilitary force RAF, 20,000 home guards and 185 KSRP Platoons have been deployed. Section 144 CrPC has also been imposed in the city of Bengaluru. The situation has heightened the safety concerns of Tamil speaking people living in Karnataka. With fear of retaliatory violence looming large, both Chief Ministers have reached out to each other requesting the safety of people from their states. They are also in touch with the Union Home Minister for the center's assistance in bringing the situation under control. In the meantime, a person named Umesh (22) hailing from Kunigal, has got killed when police opened fire to disperse a mob in Northeast Bengaluru. Five others have got wounded in the incident.