Cauvery dispute: Prime Minister appeals for peace, asks protesters to display sensitivity

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for peace following violents clashes in Bengaluru where protesters took to the street to revolt against a Supreme Court verdict on Cauvery river's water-sharing pact with Tamil Nadu.

The PM called the situation distressful, and said violence cannot provide a solution to any problem. In a democracy, solutions are found through restraint and mutual dialogue.

Modi, in a tweet, appealed to the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to display sensitivity, and keep their civic responsibilities in mind.

"I trust you 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," Modi tweeted.

The SC, in its directive, has asked Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 10 days to ameliorate the plight of farmers. The apex court later modified the order and asked Karnataka to release a reduced amount of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

In a video message to the people of the state, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah warned of stringent action against any act of vandalism or disturbance to peace.

One person was killed and another injured in police firing in the country's IT capital yesterday after sudden eruption of widespread violence, escalating tensions between the two states, now locked in a bitter tussle over release of Cauvery water.

State-run transport services remained skeletal with very few buses plying on roads in select areas. Officials said transport services to Tamil Nadu remain suspended. According to Metro Rail authorities, its services will remain temporarily suspended.