Following incidents of violence and destruction of property in Karnataka, targeted at businesses and properties owned by Tamilians, the CM of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa has written to her counterpart in Karnataka seeking security for Tamil-speaking people in the state.
Stating that the incidents in Tamil Nadu have only been "minor", Jayalalithaa said that the situation in Karnataka is "alarming" and "causing considerable anxiety".
"Despite very provocative incidents that are taking place in Karnataka, absolute restraint has been observed in Tamil Nadu by all sections," she said.
She requested the Karnataka CM to take immediate and effective action to provide all necessary protection and security to ensure that no harm is caused to the person and property of Tamil speaking people in Karnataka.
She also said that the Tamil Nadu police have been instructed to ensure law and order is maintained and protection be provided to Kannada people and their property.
Here is the full text of the letter:
“I write to bring to your urgent attention the need to ensure the safety and security of many lakhs of Tamil speaking people residing in Karnataka and of their properties in the light of the escalating incidents of violence taking place in many parts of Karnataka.
I have also received your letter dated 12.9.2016, regarding certain incidents in Tamil Nadu. As soon as the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court were received on 6.9.2016, and reports regarding violent protests in different parts of Karnataka were telecast by the media, directions were given to the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, to instruct all field formations to ensure that law and order is maintained and adequate protection provided to all Kannada speaking people and their properties in Tamil Nadu. The protests by some sections in Tamil Nadu, including by farmers, have been peaceful and lawful. Despite very provocative incidents that are taking place in Karnataka, absolute restraint has been observed in Tamil Nadu by all sections. We have ensured that no major incidents of any kind targeting Kannada speaking people or their properties have occurred.
The two minor incidents in Chennai and Ramanathapuram that have been referred to in the letter received from the Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Karnataka, addressed to the Principal Secretaries, Home and Public, Tamil Nadu, have already been acted on very promptly and cases registered and the miscreants arrested. In any event, all precautionary measures have been taken and law and order continues to be well maintained in Tamil Nadu.
I am concerned that the situation in Karnataka is serious with several instances of mob violence targeting Tamil speaking persons and their property. As per the reports received, the violence has escalated and a large number of vehicles, including more than
40 buses, 45 lorries and many other vehicles bearing Tamil Nadu number plates have been burnt and damaged. Groups of protesters from Karnataka are regularly assembling at the
Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border near Hosur and threatening vehicles and commuters from Tamil Nadu. Hotels and properties belonging to Tamils in Karnataka are being attacked and damaged. This is an alarming situation and is causing considerable anxiety.
I request you to take immediate and effective action to provide all necessary protection and security to ensure that no harm is caused to the person and property of Tamil speaking people in Karnataka.”