Cauvery issue: Tamil Nadu leaders ask Karnataka to compensate victims
Chennai: Various political leaders including Union minister of state Pon. Radhakrishnan on Saturday demanded compensation from the Karnataka government for the loss of property during the riots in Karnataka against Tamils after the Supreme Court verdict ordering release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Pon Radhakrishnan said Tamils were affected since the state government failed to take note and act to prevent the violence. More than 50 buses had been torched and the compensation to the losses should be given immediately, he said.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss said the arson and damage to Tamils’ property was abetted by the Karnataka government as police watching the events did not try to stop them.
When a gang burnt at least 50 buses, policemen did not take action till they escaped from the scene. Though, the fire service station was nearby, no action was taken till all the buses were gutted, showing the nexus between the rioters and state government. He alleged that 60 rowdies were released from prison before the riots broke out in the state.
The PMK leader said it was the responsibility of the state government to protect the lives and property of people and added that the state government had failed to discharge its duty.
The state government should pay the price by providing relief and compensation to the affected people. A commission should be constituted under a retired SC judge to assess the value of the damaged and robbed valuables of Tamils, he said and demanded that the relief should be based on the recommendations of the commission.
MDMK leader Vaiko also said the Karnataka government should provide relief and compensation to the affected Tamils and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan put the damage at Rs 25,000 crore. He said both the Centre and state government should share the responsibility of giving the compensation.
The demands follow media reports that the arson and damage to belongings of Tamils were planned and it followed a statement from a Kannada leader to asking the people of Karnataka to rob and damage the belongings of Tamils.
Survive and struggle throughout life for principles: Karunanidhi
DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on Saturday condoled the death of Vignesh, who committed self-immolation and died demanding the rights of Tamil Nadu over Cauvery.
‘However serious the issue may be, one should survive and struggle throughout their life. Killing themselves is tragic and could not be accepted. I hope that today’s youth will realise this and formulate their methods of protest,”he said, in a statement here.
The youth was cremated at his native village of Moovanallur amid tight protection to avert untoward incidents.
Hundreds of police were lined up on both sides of the funeral procession which was attended by MDMK general secretary Vaiko, leaders of farmers organisations, Naam Thamizhar party cadre and people.
Naam Thamizhar party leader P. Seeman said the youth belonging to his party had been frequently advised against committing self-immolation and insisted that no one should take such decisions. The death of Vignesh at a young age, is regrettable, he added.
Hundreds of youth and women carrying party flags, took part in the funeral rally, shouting slogans stressing on Cauvery rights. It was an emotional farewell with cadre breaking into tears and taking vows to fulfil the objectives of Vignesh.
Among the demands of Vignesh included winning the rights of Tamils over Cauvery, protecting the river from exploitation and stopping the extraction of methane gas from Cauvery bed as it would pollute the delta area and hit agriculture in a big way.
