Centre says violence over Cauvery water disturbing, appeals for peace

New Delhi: The Centre today appealed for peace and calm on the issue of sharing Cauvery River water, saying violence cannot be justified on any ground and asked the governments of the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to take effective measures to ensure protection of the people.

The violence in the neighbouring states of 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.

He said such 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.

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

As Bangalore witnessed widespread violence bringing it on the edge, night curfew was imposed in 16 police station limits late last night Noting that water is no doubt a sensitive and emotive issue and 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.

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.

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.

PTI