Violence in TN, hotel attacked in Chennai

Just as normalcy was returning to the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border areas, fresh violence erupted across Tamil Nadu on Monday morning over the Cauvery row.

Unidentified miscreants hurled petrol bombs at New Woodlands Hotel at Mylapore area in Chennai, owned by Kannadigas early Monday morning. Police said the group also entered the hotel and broke glass doors and windows. However, no one was injured.

The attack is believed to be in retaliation to a video of a youth, suspected to be a Tamil, being beaten up by a gang in Karnataka, which went viral on social media on Sunday.

The attackers in Mylapore also left a hand-written pamphlet at the entrance of the hotel that stated, “If attacks continue on Tamilians there, our violence will continue against all Karnataka-based organisations in Tamil Nadu.”

"The attack on the hotel occurred at around 3.45 am. A gang of more than 10 persons came in autos and threw a petrol bomb at the ice cream shop inside the hotel complex. Within a few hours, we arrested four suspects in connection with the incident," a senior police official said.

A hotel staffer, seeking anonymity, told DH that there were about 10 security persons when the attack occurred. “Out of fear, our security people could not prevent it,” the staffer said.

Violence was also reported from Rameshwaram, Vellore, Thanjavur, Erode, Salem and Trichy. Six vehicles, including two tourist buses bearing Karnataka registration, were attacked in Rameshwaram by a pro-Tamil outfit. They also caught hold of a driver hailing from Karnataka and beat him and forced him to shout “Cauvery is for Tamil Nadu.”

Rameshwaram police rushed to the spot and rescued the driver before arresting the attackers. Cadres of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) also attacked a Bengaluru-bound bus in Ambur at Vellore district. In Salem district, more than 20 protesters were arrested when they tried to burn the effigy of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Karnataka registered vehicles were damaged in Thanjavur district. Demanding that the Centre solve the Cauvery issue, delta farmers staged a protest in Trichy and shouted slogans against the Karnataka government.

Tamizhaga Vazhvu Uremai Katchi, a political outfit in the state, also threatened to stage a "democratic" protest demonstration in front of all Karnataka-based organisations, including banks, across the state for the release of Cauvery water. Activists of another pro-Tamil group smashed the glass door of Karnataka Bank in Anna Nagar, Chennai.
Protests were also held in Puducherry where farmers joined agitators.

Meanwhile, most state-owned bus services from Chennai to Karnataka were suspended on Monday morning, putting people to hardship. Some buses were stopped at the borders. Private buses were also stopped on the borders at Hosur in Krishnagiri district and Sathyamangalam in Erode district.