CauveryProtests: uneasy calm in Bengaluru; police urge people not to spread rumors

Bengaluru: A day after a person was killed and another injured in police firing in Bengaluru in protests over Cauvery water sharing with Tamil Nadu, uneasy calm prevailed in the Karnataka capital city Tuesday morning.

Shops, malls and offices remained shut throughout the city with companies asking their employees to work from home. Most of the city buses have kept off the roads.

The schools declared a holiday in the city after the Cauvery row turned violent Monday, escalating tensions between the two states.

The Bengaluru police wrote on its Twitter account the situation is 'totally calm' in the city.

“Strict action will be taken against vandals/miscreants,” the police added.

“Public are requested to use Karnataka Police Help Line 18004250100 or 155365 for any emergency/assistance/help @CPBlr,” the police wrote in another tweet.

Police also posted a video of Eid prayers being held peacefully at a mosque in the city.

As Bengaluru witnessed widespread violence bringing it on the edge, night curfew was imposed in 16 police station limits late Monday night.

Police said Rajgopal Nagar, Kamakshipalya, Vijaynagar, Byatarayanpura Kengeri, Magadi Road, Rajajinagar, RR Nagara, KP Agrahara Chandra layout, Yeshwanathapura, Mahalakshmi layout, Peenya, RMC Yard, Nandini Layout and Jnanabharathi are under curfew.

The police asked people not to believe WhatsApp messages blindly and urged citizens not to spread rumors.

Monday violence

Widespread violence erupted Monday in Bangaluru 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.

Police opened fire when a mob tried to attack a patrol vehicle at Hegganahalli in Rajagopal Nagar police limits as violence flared up in Bengaluru city with rampaging mobs setting fire to buses and trucks with Tamil Nadu registration plates.

"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, where they were taken told PTI tonight.

Soon after the apex court gave its amended order, directing Karnataka to release 12000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu till September 20, violence and arson flared up in Bengaluru, with rampaging mobs setting afire at least 30 vehicles bearing Tamil Nadu number plates.

As violence broke out sending a wave of panic across Bengaluru, the city was brought under prohibitory orders till September 14.

A prominent transport company depot in the city bore the brunt with at least 30 buses going up in flames.

Managing Director of Salem headquartered KPN Tours and Travels Limited Rajesh Natarajan claimed in Chennai 40 of his buses were set on fire.

Center deploys troops

Incidents of arson came even as police said they have made elaborate security arrangements with 15,000 policemen being deployed, bolstered by Karnataka State Reserve Police, City Armed Reserve Police, Rapid Action Force, Quick Reaction Teams, special forces, Central Industrial Security Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force.

In view of the deteriorating situation, the Center rushed 10 companies (about 1,000 personnel) of the special anti-riot paramilitary force RAF to Karnataka.