Cauvery water dispute: TV channels in Hy'bad asked not to air visuals of violence

Hyderabad: In the backdrop of violence in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka over the Cauvery water issue, the city police in Hyderabad on Tuesday issued advisory to TV channels asking them not to air visuals pertaining to the violence, which may potentially create law and order problem in Hyderabad.

"It has been brought to the notice of the Authorised Officer under The Cable TV Networks ( Regulation) Act 1995, that visuals having huge potential for inciting mob violencewhich relate to the ongoing violence in Bangalore (Bengaluru) city are being transmitted/retransmitted through the Cable TV Networks in Hyderabad city," the police said in a statement.

"As per the Program Code under the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, no program shall be transmitted/ retransmitted in the cable service which is likely to encourage or incite violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order," it added.

The managements of the concerned channels are liable for prosecution for Violation of Program Code under section 16 of the said Act if they disobey the law, said the statement.

In view of the large congregations of people expected on account of ongoing Bakrid and Ganesh Festivities in Hyderabad, the managements of all the TV channels and Cable TV network operators are advised to adhere to the program code in the interest of maintenance of public order and peace in the city, it added.

A day after being rocked by large-scale violence, Bengaluru appeared to limp back to normal on Tuesday with sporadic protests, even as the Karnataka government decided to comply with the Supreme Court's modified order to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till September 20.