KRISHNAGIRI: A build up of tension early on Friday later fizzled out near the inter-state border after the pro-Kannada cadres distributed sweets to celebrate the verdict given for the decades old Cauvery river water dispute.
Attibelle on the Karnataka side and where the Tamil Nadu territory ends looked tense hours before the Supreme Court gave its verdict for the Cauvery River sharing row.
Both the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu police have made elaborate security arrangements as a preventive measure to maintain peace if the judgment triggers violence in the upper riparian state.
Over 200 Tamil Nadu state transport corporation (TNSTC) buses that operate its daily services from other districts across the state to Bengaluru were stopped at the Hosur bus stand.
“Buses were not operated to Bengaluru from Thursday mid-night due to information about the possible violence if the judgment was against the Karnataka state” a transport corporation official told Deccan Chronicle on anonymity.
He added, “our town buses transport passengers till the state border. From there, people walk two kilo meters and reach Attibelle bus stand to catch bus for Bengaluru.”
However, the Karnataka state transport corporation (KSRTC) operated its buses till Hosur bus stand without trouble. But, the KSRTC too stopped its services as the state was afraid of trouble in Tamil Nadu side because the apex court had reduced the quantum of water to be shared with lower riparian state by Karnataka.
“We watch the situation in Tamil Nadu. Our buses will resume its services only if we are fully sure that our vehicles will be safe if sent to Tamil Nadu” said L.Y. Rajesh, police inspector who heads a team of 100 policemen posted in the state border.
The Krishnagiri collector C. Kathiravan reviewed the situation at Attibelle and had discussion with the Karnataka police officials. The private vehicles from Tamil Nadu were allowed to enter Karnataka after the meeting following the assurance given by the Karnataka police for the safety of people and the vehicles.
