Cauvery row: Bus, lorry services to Karnataka suspended for 12th day
Erode (TN): Lorry and bus services to Karnataka from Sathyamangalam, about 60 km from Erode, remained suspended for the 12th consecutive day in the wake of the Cauvery row.
Buses, including private and state-run, were not operated, while lorries with Tamil Nadu registration were also not allowed, as a result of which the Bannari-Thimbam ghat near Sathyamangalam wore a deserted look.
Officials of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and Police department said, to avert any untoward incident, operation of buses and lorries had been stopped.
It may resume only after September 20, they added.
Meanwhile, some Karnataka State Transport buses are being operated from Mysuru to Sathyamangalam, police said, adding, lorries bearing Karnataka registration were provided police escort upto Pulinjure checkpost at Karnataka border.
Suspension of services has affected transportation of turmeric, textiles, Eggs, Oil, Vegetables, and other essential commodities to Karnataka.
Protests by Kannada groups against the Supreme Court order to Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, had turned violent on September 12, with two persons getting killed in police action, in Bengaluru.
Vehicles bearing Tamil Nadu registration were also torched and damaged even as commercial establishments owned by Tamils were targeted in Karnataka.
In Tamil Nadu, restaurants owned by Kannadigas and vehicles bearing Karnataka registration were attacked by fringe outfits in some places on September 12.