Concern mounts in Karnataka as Cauvery stir intensifies

Bangalore, Sept 25: Even as political parties in

and Karnataka look to up the ante on the

issue, people on both sides of the border are praying that tensions will not escalate beyond a point.

Many Tamilians presently based in Mysore, Chamarajanagar and Mandya are still haunted by memories of the 1991 riots. Thousands of families in these districts have urged the Karnataka police to protect their lives if the situation gets out of hand.

Federation of Tamil Sangam has already written to Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and top police officials in the three districts since some pro-Kannada outfits are threatening a repeat of 1991 if Tamil Nadu continues to press for a greater share of Cauvery water.

In view of this, Tamil families in Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts have been advised to move to areas which are comparatively safer. Another option is for them to live together so that they can protect each other during any attack.

The federation rued that over 5000 Tamil families were forced to flee from HD Kote, Chamarajanagar and other areas in 1991.

Though the Commission set up to look into the riots ordered that the affected families should be provided compensation amounting to Rs 2.06 crore, nearly 200 families have reportedly not got the promised relief till date.

Pugalande, secretary of the federation, stressed that they are against releasing more water to Tamil Nadu. Averring that the federation is in solidarity with Karnataka on the issue, he promised full support for the current stir by Kannada outfits.

Pugalande pointed out that the federation is not only concerned about the safety of its members, they have also demanded protection for the Kannadigas living in Tamil Nadu.

They are now trying their best to convince the Tamils in Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajanagar not to heed baseless rumours, he added.

OneIndia News