An armored vehicle of riot police drives past burning trucks belonging to the neighboring Tamil Nadu state after they were set ablaze by angry mobs in Bengaluru Monday. APNew Delhi: Prime minister Narendra Modi Tuesday expressed pain over the developments in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water dispute and appealed for peace while underlining that violence cannot provide solution to any problem.
He asserted that the dispute can only be solved within the legal ambit and 'breaking the law is not a viable alternative'.
"Situation that has emerged in Karnataka & Tamil Nadu, as a fallout of issue of distribution of waters of Cauvery River, is distressful. I am personally pained at the developments," he said in a statement.
"Violence cannot provide a solution to any problem. In a democracy, solutions are found through restraint and mutual dialogue," he said.
The prime minister appealed to the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to display sensitivity.
Narendra Modi. File photo"I appeal to the people of the two States, to display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities," he said.
The prime minister reposed faith in the people that they will keep 'national interest' and "nation building above all else and give priority to restraint, harmony, and finding a solution, eschewing violence, destruction and arson."
One person was killed and another injured in police firing in Karnataka Monday as the Cauvery water sharing row with Tamil Nadu turned violent, escalating tensions between the two states.
As Bengaluru witnessed widespread violence bringing it on the edge, night curfew was imposed in 16 police station limits late Monday night.
Modi said the violence and arson seen in the last two days is 'only causing loss to the poor, and to our nation's property'.
"Whenever the country has faced adverse circumstances, the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, just like people across the country have always handled the situation with sensitivity," he noted.
The Supreme Court, modifying its September 5 order, had Monday asked Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.
In its September five order, the apex court had directed release of 15,000 cusecs for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers of the neighboring state, which had triggered strong protests from farmers and pro-Kannada outfits with Karnataka observing a bandh against it on September nine.
Venkaiah Naidu appeals for calm
Union information and broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu too appealed to the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for calm and said there was no justification for the violence over the Cauvery water dispute, especially after the order of the apex court.
"The violence in the neighboring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu further to the direction of the Supreme Court on release of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu is quite disturbing. Such violence can't be justified on any ground and particularly, after the direction of the highest Court of the country," he told media.
The minister also appealed to media to exercise restraint while reporting the incidents from the two states.
"Highlighting such incidents visually and otherwise might incite further violence," he said.
Naidu said the apex court has given an order on the issue and the leadership of both the states should find a way out to deal with it.
"Water is no doubt a sensitive and emotive issue and particularly, in times of scarcity. It is in the fitness of things that such issues are resolved through discussions among the concerned parties. The Cauvery Waters issue is sub-judice and the Supreme Court has given a direction after listening to both the States. If still there are any issues, leadership of both the States could discuss the same and come out with a way forward," he added.
(With agency inputs)
