Kannada TV channels to be blacked out in TN from midnight

Chennai, Apr 2 (UNI) In retaliation to the blacking out of Tamil Television Channels in Karnataka against the Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Scheme and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's criticism against Karnataka on the issue, the Cable TV Operators Association in Chennai will follow suit from midnight.

The Cable TV Operators Association when contacted said a decision to blackout the Kannada channels was taken at a meeting tonight.

The boycott of Kannada channels would continue till the operators in Karantaka lift the ban there.

It said the cable TV operators in the state have been urged to block the telecast of all Kannada channels in protest against the attack on Tamil establishments over the Hogenakkal water issue.

However, a section of the operators felt that the issue was political and that the public should not be inconvenienced.

But a majority of the Association members prevailed on them.

Kayal Ilavarasu, President of the Association when contacted told UNI tha the ban was in the wake of ''pressure'' from Tamil organisations.

''We propose to block the telecast of the Kannada channels condemning the attack on theatres screening Tamil films in Karnataka. We have also spoken to the MSOs - Hathway and SCV in this regard'', he said.

A delegation led by South India Film Chamber of Commerce President KRG and South India Film Artistes Association President R Sarath Kumar today formally sought permission from the City Police Commissioner Nanchil Kumaran to hold the proposed hunger strike near the Chepauk cricket stadium on April 4.

UNI VV LS KP2150