No untoward incident in TN, tight security in Karnataka Establishments
13 September,Chennai
Following large scale incidents ofviolence and arson, including torching of more than 50 buses and lorries, in Karnataka over the emotive Cauvery issue, no untoward incident was reported in Tamil Nadu, though buses services to the neighbouring state continuedto remain suspended for the second successive day.
Police sources said the law and order situation in theState was under control and no major untoward incident was reported in parts of Tamil Nadu. Following yesterday’s stray incidents of attack on ahotel in the city and damage caused to about five buses at Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district, heightened security arrangements were put in place for all the Karnataka establishments across the city, even as politicalparties have upped their ante, by announcing agitations.
Activists of some pro-tamil outfits attempted to lay siege to some of the Karnataka establishments like hotels and banks, but the presence of large contingent of police personnel ensured peace. Meanwhile, for the second successive day, inter-state bus services to Karnataka, which began on Sunday after afive-day gap, remained standstill for the second day today.
While Tamil Nadu State Express Transport Corporations were operated upto the border areas of Hosur and Jujuwadi,for the second day Karnataka State Transport Corporation(KSRTC) bus services remained suspended. Not even a single bus was operated as all the KSRTC buses were parked at the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus(CMBT) and police protection was provided to it. The place were the buses were parked were barricadedby the police.
With a view to prevent any backlash in the city in the wake of large scale violence in Karnataka and attack on Tamil establishments, police have made elaborate security arrangements in more than 170 Karnataka establishments like banks, hotels, bakeries, halls and the like.
About 150 patrolling teams were involved in round-the-clock protection to these installations. Additional security was being provided to State Bank of Mysore, Karnataka Bank, Data Udupi chain of hotels and New Woodlands hotel.
Meanwhile, Chennai City Police Commissioner S George warned on stringent action against those making any defamatory post in facebook or create rumours over thecauvery issue and the incidents in Karnataka. Sources said police have been maintaining a strict vigil to prevent any untoward incident.