Kerala requests two special trains for Keralites in Bengaluru

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 13: In wake of the widespread violence in Karnataka on Monday over the apex court order to release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, a huge number of Keralites have got stuck thereand Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu for two special trains to ferry them home for Onam.

Vijayan on Monday night requested Prabhu to see that two special trains are allowed to bring back Keralites who reside in Bengaluru, as many of them who had booked to travel to Kerala on buses saw their trip being curtailed due to the violence.

"We have requested for two trains one to Kannur and another to Thiruvananthapuram. The Minister has agreed to consider our request favourably," said Vijayan in a press release issued here.

Besides Vijayan, senior Congress leaders Oommen Chandy, V.M.Sudheeran and Ramesh Chennithala spoke to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and apprised him that a lot of anxious Keralites are there and wanting to come home for Onam holidays and sought special care be provided to them.

The Kerala Police has sent about 100 policemen to Karnataka's Mandya to ensure Keralites travelling on road are safe on their journey home.

IANS