Cauvery issue: Centre calls for peace, says violence can't be justified

The Central government on 13 September appealed for peace and calm on the issue of sharing water from the Cauvery River water. Stressing that violence cannot be justified, the Centre asked the governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to take effective measures to ensure protection to the people.

The violence in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu after the Supreme Court's direction on release of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu is quite disturbing, M Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of Information and Broadcasting said.

Violence can't be justified on any ground and particularly, after the direction of the Supreme Court. Such violence and destruction of property negates the rule of law and ultimately impacts the life of common man, he said.

"The Cauvery Water issue is sub-judice and the Supreme Court has given a direction after listening to both the States. If still there are any issues, leadership of both the States could discuss the same and come out with a way forward," Naidu said.

Noting that water is a sensitive issue - particularly in times of scarcity - Naidu said it is in the fitness of things that such issues are resolved through discussions among the parties concerned.

He said a large number of people from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu live in the other state and have been making significant contributions to the development of the state of their choice of living.

"They should not be made to feel insecure as it is the Constitutional right of every citizen to live in a place of choice in the country. Violence and counter-violence would only further complicate the matters and is not in the interest of any State. Both the State Governments should take effective measures to check the violence immediately," he said.

The Minister 'fervently' appealed to the people of both the states to immediately stop indulging in violence and ensure peace and normalcy.

"I also appeal to both the State Governments and leaders of political parties to take necessary effective measures to stop violence and ensure protection of people from the other state," he said.

Naidu also urged the media to exercise restraint in reporting on the incidents happening in both the states. "Highlighting such incidents visually and otherwise might incite further violence. I hope media would play a constructive role in ensuring peace and normalcy in both the States," he said.

Responding to the ongoing unrest in Karnataka over Cauvery water sharing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he was deeply "pained" at the developments and has appealed for peace in the state.

PM Modi further affirmed that this particular dispute between the neighbouring states could only be solved legally and breaking the law will have adverse reactions.

One person was killed and another was injured in police firing in Karnataka on 12 September as the Cauvery water sharing row with Tamil Nadu turned violent, escalating tensions between the two states.

More than 20 buses were set on fire by protesters in KPN bus depot in Bengaluru. Around 15,000 police were deployed as section 144 was imposed in the state.

Violence flared up in the city with curfew being imposed on Monday night on 16 police limits of Bengaluru following the continued violence. The curfew is likely remain in force for three days.