Cauvery row: PM pained over violence in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

New Delhi, Sept 13 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Moditoday expressed pain over the developments in Karnataka andTamil Nadu over the Cauvery water dispute and appealed forpeace while underlining that violence cannot provide solutionto any problem. He asserted that the dispute can only be solved withinthe legal ambit and "breaking the law is not a viablealternative". "Situation that has emerged in Karnataka & Tamil Nadu, asa fallout of issue of distribution of waters of Cauvery River,is distressful.I am personally pained at the developments," hesaid in a statement. "Violence cannot provide a solution to any problem. In ademocracy, solutions are found through restraint and mutualdialogue," he said. The Prime Minister appealed to the people of Karnatakaand Tamil Nadu to display sensitivity. "I appeal to the people of the two States, to displaysensitivity, and also keep in mind their civicresponsibilities," he said. The Prime Minister reposed faith in the people that theywill keep "national interest" and "nation building above allelse and give priority to restraint, harmony, and finding asolution, eschewing violence, destruction and arson." One person was killed and another injured in policefiring in Karnataka yesterday as the Cauvery water sharing rowwith Tamil Nadu turned violent, escalating tensions betweenthe two states. As Bangalore witnessed widespread violence bringing it onthe edge, night curfew was imposed in 16 police station limitslate last night Modi said the violence and arson seen in the last twodays is "only causing loss to the poor, and to our nation’sproperty. "Whenever the country has faced adverse circumstances,the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, just like peopleacross the country have always handled the situation withsensitivity," he noted. The Supreme Court, modifying its September 5 order, hadyesterday asked Karnataka to release a reduced amount of12,000 cusecs of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu till September 20. In its September five order, the apex court had directedrelease of 15,000 cusecs for 10 days to ameliorate the plightof farmers of the neighbouring state, which had triggeredstrong protests from farmers and pro-Kannada outfits withKarnataka observing a bandh against it on September nine. PTIAKKDV