TN CM's effigy burnt in several places in K'taka

Bangalore, Apr 1(UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's effigies were burnt in several places in Karnataka, even as pro-Kannada activists intensified their agitation demanding public apology by Mr Karunanidhi and giving up the Rs 1,500 crore drinking water project taken up by Tamil Nadu on the controversial Hogenakkal site.

Several political parties including the BJP, Congress, Janata Dal (Secular) and Kannada Vatal Paksha have taken strong exception to Mr Karunanidhi allegedly terming the protest to the project as aimed at gaining political mileage in the forthcoming elections to the Legislative Assembly.

Police tightened security in front of theatres screening Tamil films and near the Tamil Sangam office.

This followed yesterday's attack by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists who tore Tamil film banners and broke glass panels in theatres and attacked the Tamil Sangam Office in the city.

Commissioner of Police Neelam Achutha Rao told newsmen that though nobody had sought security, they had taken the measures to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile one person was arrested and sent to jail in connection with yesterday's violence.

Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao, meanwhile, said the government had written to Tamil Nadu to stop the project since the matter was pending before the court.

It had also written to the Union Water Resources Ministry to intervene and direct Tamil Nadu not to go ahead with the project till the matter was resolved by the court.

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