Charred remains of the vehicles in Bengaluru on Tuesday, a day after they were torched by pro-Kannada activists during their violent protests over Cauvery water row. PTI Bengaluru: Curfew was lifted in all 16 police station limits here on Wednesday as the city bounced back to normal after widespread violence over the Cauvery water sharing row with neighboring Tamil Nadu.
The country's IT capital bustled with activity with transport vehicles and the Metro back in service and commercial establishments and schools and colleges reopening.
"Curfew has been lifted in all 16 police station limits of Bengaluru city from 9 AM today," city police commissioner N.S. Megharikh tweeted.
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Curfew was clamped on the night of Sept 12 after violence erupted with dozens of buses and lorries with Tamil Nadu registration being set on fire as mobs let out their fury over reports of some incidents of attack on Kannadigas and their property in the neighboring state.
The violence had also erupted within hours after the Supreme Court modified its September 5 order and asked Karnataka to release a reduced quantum of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.
In its September 5 order, the apex court had directed the state to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of the neighbouring state.
Though curfew was lifted, officials said prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC will continue until further orders as a precautionary measure.
"....peace has been restored, there is peaceful atmosphere where people can come out of their homes," state home minister G. Parameshwara told reporters here after touring violence-hit areas along with senior police officials.
Megharik said, "There is no question of rail roko. Though we have lifted curfew in some parts of the city, section 144 is still on. Therefore, there is no question of rail roko or any kind of protest in coming days."
He said the police has not given any permission for pro-Kannada leader Vatal Nagaraj's party to stage rail roko on Thursday.
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As many as 350 people had been rounded up and investigations are on to find out the culprits who indulged in violence.
The Cauvery unrest has claimed two lives in the city. One person had died in police firing on Monday while another succumbed to injuries he suffered while fleeing police lathicharge as he jumped in panic from a three-storey building.
In Mandya, the epicenter of Cauvery agitation, Tamils took out a procession in the city and protested against the Supreme Court verdict, carrying empty vessels.
The residents of a Tamil colony also condemned some incidents of attacks on Kannadigas and their property in Tamil Nadu and appealed to the neighboring state chief minister to ensure safety of Kannadigas living there.
The 'Rythara hithrakshana samithee', (committee for protection of farmers' interests) headed by G. Madegowda, which is spearheading the Cauvery stir, staged a dharna and said they have no other option but to continue their protests till water release to Tamil Nadu stops.
Will try to convince SC about water shortage: Karnataka minister
Meanwhile, Karnataka government said it would try to convince the Supreme Court about "ground realities" and difficulties faced by people for water in the Cauvery basin when the matter related to release of the river water to Tamil Nadu comes up for next hearing on September 20.
"We will reiterate and request with folded hands before the Supreme Court that Karnataka is facing water problems in Cauvery basin, and water is left only for drinking purpose," state Water Resources Minister M B Patil said.
"Please understand the ground realities and, if need be, send an expert team. Let them assess," he told reporters here.
Patil also expressed hope that Cauvery Supervisory Committee will not direct Karnataka to release further water when the matter comes up before it on September 19.
Police stop a man during a curfew in Bengaluru, following violent protests after India's Supreme Court ordered Karnataka state to release water from the Cauvery river to the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. Reuters"We request to keep at this mark only (not exceeding 12,000 cusecs). If you ask us to release further water... we will be in a very (big) crisis," he said.
Patil said there was only 40 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water left in all the four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin.
About 28 TMC ft was needed for providing drinking water to cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya and villages in Cauvery basin up to June.
"We hardly have any water left. We require about 28TMC. Our reservoirs have 40 TMC. Now already 33 TMC have been released and again, about 17 TMC are to be released," he said.
Despite the opposition's demand not to release water and facing hardships, the government has been abiding by the court's order and discharging the water with "a heavy heart." To a question, he said, "I cannot predict any further rains in the catchment area, but if it rains the problem will be resolved and If doesn't it add to our crisis," he said.
(With agency inputs)
