CHENNAI - On September 12, fringe groups launched attacks on Kannada based organisations as well as Karnataka registered vehicles across the state. This after a video of a Tamilian being assaulted by Kannadigas went viral on social media. The pro-Tamil outfits also vandalised Karnataka Bank in Puducherry.
Police officials said that Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam people attacked an iconic Kannadiga restaurant - The New Woodlands Hotel and hurled petrol bombs.
Add to that, assailants left a one-page note saying, "If Tamilians are attacked in Karnataka, Kannadigas will be attacked in Tamil Nadu."
This created a panic moment for the entire state. But this soon mellowed down and normalcy was restored as Chennai police arrested the goons who were behind the attacks.
In the neighbouring Puducherry, 25 protesters were taken into custody.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in her letter to Karnakata Chief Minister said, "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. In any event, all precautionary measures have been taken and law and order continues to be well maintained in Tamil Nadu."
"The protests by some sections in Tamil Nadu, including by farmers, have been peaceful and lawful," she said.
She added that the Tamil Nadu DGP was instructed to ensure that law and order is maintained and adequate protection is provided to all Kannada speaking people and their properties in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to CNN News 18, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police T K Rajendran said, "adequate security was being provided to Kannadigas in the State. Houses of Karnataka actors have also been given extra security".
This include actors including the Superstar, Prabhu Deva and Ramesh Arvind. We visited some of the places and saw police personnel deployed. Chennai police said that security has been beefed up in all the violence prone areas. On Tuesday when a few protesters tried to attack Udupi chain in Chintadripet, they were detained by the police.
Memes take centrestage
While it's peaceful in Tamil Nadu so far, there are memes doing the rounds on social media based on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka face-off.
This meme has DMDK leader Vijayakant saying:"Things will turn ugly should I get to know of Carnatic music concerts in Tamil Nadu," a slyly crafted meme to poke fun at the leader.
In another meme, Vijayakant is seen taking a pledge. It portrays him as saying:"Until the Cauvery issue is resolved, I will touch the Mysore Pak."
While the situation was quite normal on the ground, meme creators had a field day on social media with funny posts and pithy one-liners to infuse some humour into the dark ongoings over the Cauvery river sharing wrangle.
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