Cauvery row: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah calls an emergency meeting

Bengaluru, Sep 12: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called an emergency cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss the situation arising out of the Cauvery row.

As reports of arson and vandalism spread, office-goers rushed back home, with many companies calling off work as a precautionary step and schools and colleges declaring holiday, with sudden rush causing traffic gridlocks in several parts.

Metro, on which lakhs of commuters depend, also temporarily suspended its services. Activists of disparate pro-Kannada outfits took control of streets in several areas and resorted to stone throwing and burning, targetting buses and trucks.

Two Chennai-based hotels and mobile shops were attacked and vandalised in Bengaluru. Voicing concern over violence against Kannada speaking people and their properties in Tamil Nadu over the past two days, Siddaramaiah wrote to his counterpart Jayalalithaa to ensure adequate safety and protection for Kannada speaking people in Tamil Nadu.

"You would agree that the incidents of violence against Kannada speaking people that are being reported from Tamil Nadu would incite passions threatening peace in our state, which all of us should prevent," Siddaramiah said.

Siddaramaiah said his government was firmly committed to maintaining law and order in the state and had taken "utmost" precaution to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, particularly Tamil speaking people, in the state.

Speaking to reporters earlier, Siddaramaiah said he would also speak to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, if necessary, on the incidents targeting Kannadigas.

Asking people not to pay heed to rumours and to cooperate in maintaining law and order, Karnataka state DGP Omprakash said as a precautionary measure section 144 is in place in Bengaluru city, Mandya, Mysuru, Srirangapatna and near four dams in the Cauvery basin.

Prohibitory orders will remain until normalcy is restored, he said adding, the situation is "tense, but under control."

PTI