JOIN USWe expected protests if SC order was against us: Home Minister
Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said videos of attacks on Kannada speaking people in various parts of Tamil Nadu triggered violent protests in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mandya.
He said while protests were expected after the Supreme Court hearing, certain groups set vehicles on fire after the videos went viral on social networking websites and visual media. Prohibitory orders have been clamped under the Section 144 of CrPC in Bengaluru City and certain areas in Pandavapura, Mandya, Mysuru and four dam sites in the state.
“We know that great injustice has been done to us. We know the order of the Supreme Court is not in our favour. In fact, we will end up releasing more water. It is our own people who are protesting and not somebody else. We expected that if the decision goes against us there would be protests. But, it was all hit and run like protests since afternoon.
Small groups of people indulged in stone pelting and, several buses and trucks with Tamil Nadu registration were damaged and set on fire,” Parameshwara said.
The state government has enchanced security in areas where Tamil speaking community is settled in Bengaluru and other parts of the state.
“Chief Minister in his letter addressed to his Tamil Nadu counterpart has ensured safety of Tamilians living in the state and expected the same security to Kanadigas in Tamil Nadu. A few tourists from the state were stuck at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu on Monday.
DG&IGP Omprakash spoke to senior police officials in Tamil Nadu and also to the stranded tourists. The police in Tamil Nadu have assured that the tourists will be sent back with security,” the minister said.
In a meeting held with the Om Prakash and other senior officials, Parameshwara instructed the officials to ensure peaceful procession during Bakrid.
“The jurisdictional police will take a final call on allowing Bakrid and Ganesha immersion processions in sensitive areas. We had taken the services of 10 companies of central security forces since last five days. After the violent protests, we have placed request for an additional 10 companies of central forces, including Rapid Action Force, Central Reserve Police Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Force,” he said.