Central forces sent to K' Taka, H C told

Chennai, Feb 9 (UNI) The Centre today informed Madras High Court that it had despatched four companies of Rapid Action Force (RPA) and two companies of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to aid civil authorities at the request of the Karnataka Government, in the wake of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award.

This was stated by Additional Solicitor General V T Gopalan, appearing for the Union Government, when a PIL seeking to protect life and property of Tamils of Karnataka by deploying para-military force or CRPF to prevent violence, came up before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Mr Justice K Chandru.

The PIL was filed by V Elankeeran of Cuddalore District, Mr Gopalan submitted that the Centre was watching the situation and would act as circumstances warranted. Even before the award was pronounced, the Union Government had cautioned both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka that there were chances of violence. If they wanted paramilitary or any other force, they could request the Centre.

It appeared that the Karnataka Government had also sought police forces from neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Normally law and order was a State subject, and the Centre could not intervene just like that, he added.

Government pleader Raja Kalifullah submitted that the situation had now improved and trucks were moving from Tamil Nadu to Karnataka.

Recording all these submissions, the bench adjourned further hearing of the case to February 13.

UNI