Cauvery row: Over 20 buses set ablaze in Karnataka; Kerala stops bus service to Bengaluru

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More than 20 buses were set on fire by protesters in KPN bus depot in Bengaluru on 12 September.The protests intensified on 12 September after the apex court modified its order asking Karnataka to release less water to neighbour Tamil Nadu but for more days. Prime Minister has intervened in the matter and assured all assistance to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Around 15,000 police were deployed as section 144 was imposed in the state.

#WATCH: More than 20 buses set on fire by protesters in #Bengaluru's KPN bus depot #CauveryProtests pic.twitter.com/akqL7MDghr

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 12, 2016

Amidst the raging row over Cauvery water sharing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and subsequent sporadic violence in Karnataka, Kerala on 12 September decided to cancel temporarily the bus services from and to Bengaluru, causing concern to Malayalees who want to reach home to celebrate Onam on 14 September.

Taking a serious note of the situation, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke to his counterpart in Karnataka over the phone and took stock of the developments, official sources said.

Kerala Transport Minister A K Saseendran said in view of the serious situation prevailing in Karnataka, Kerala government has decided to temporarily cancel the services of state-run Kerala Road Transport Corporation buses.

"The primary concern of the government is the safety of our passengers. We are aware that many Keralites in the neighbouring states want to reach their home state to celebrate Onam," he told PTI.

"We are keenly monitoring the developments in both the states and the moment there is any relaxation in the present tension, we will take steps to resume the service," he said.

He added, "There is risk to continue service when the tension prevails. DGP Loknath Behera also spoke to his counterpart in Karnataka. They have assured necessary protection to our vehicles if there is any relaxation to the situation. But, the report which we are getting from Bengaluru is that agitators are asking to close down our bus counters there," he said.

--With PTI inputs