With the Supreme Court set to take up Karnataka government’s plea challenging the Cauvery Supervisory Committee’s order yesterday asking the government to release more water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, the Bengaluru police have beefed up security across the city to ensure that the city doesn’t witness the kind of violence witnessed a few days ago.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara today said that the government will today move the apex court against the committee’s order to release 3,000 cusecs daily for 10 days from September 21-30.
He also termed the directive ‘disappointing’ and a blow to Karnataka’s interests.
Additional forces have been deployed at sensitive and hypersensitive areas.
City police commissioner NS Megharikh yesterday held a meeting with his officials and discussed the measures taken to curb the violence.
“A total of 40 platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, 30 City Armed Reserve platoons, six Rapid Action Force squads, three companies of the Seema Suraksha Dal, three Border Security Force platoons and one company each of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police will guard the city.
“Besides, 15,000 civil police including senior police officers and 2,000 Home Guards will take position at 6am. Two Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) vehicles, 250 Hoysalas and 400 Cheetah bikes will patrol the city,” Times of India quoted police sources as saying.
Police have also banned sale of liquor and opening of bars, wine shops and pubs on Tuesday and Wednesday in and around the city.
ANI reported that Section 144 has been imposed in Mandya’s Sanjay circle ahead of the top court’s hearing.
The panel’s order yesterday had sparked protests in the region, especially in Mandya, by farmers and traders, which led to blocking of vehicular traffic between Bengaluru and Mysuru.
In Mysuru, authorities are on alert as pro-Kannada activists are expected to take to the streets today.
Mysuru SP Ravi Channanavar is already camping at Heggadadevana kote, taluk headquarters in the district.
The measures have been taken after the agitation opposing Supreme Court’s order on release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu turned violent last week.
The order comes into force after the state would complete releasing 12,000 cusecs daily on Tuesday as per the apex court's September 12 order, which is a modification of its September 5 directive to release 15,000 cusecs daily for 10 days from September 7.
