With the Cauvery protests unfolding in Karnataka the state’s border with Tamil Nadu now seems like an area between two warring countries. The ‘pro-Kannada’ organisations have sealed Attibele, the border area near Hosur, and there are reports of vehicles bearing registration plates of the other state being targeted.
On Monday, a Facebook post by a techie from Bengaluru went viral, for it shows how police on both sides is struggling hard to ensure the safety of each and every vehicle crossing the border. Joyal Bindu, the 33 year old man, had gone to Kollam with his family and was returning to Bengaluru via Chennai.
In a post that has now been shared more than 4,500 times he narrates how ordinary people are being escorted by police to ensure they reach their destination safely.
Joyal Bindu is not the only one who has experienced the ‘cross-fire.’ There are many who have had to change, as many as four modes of transport to cross Karnataka or Tamil Nadu border and reach their destination.
Avinash Subramaniam, a resident of Madurai, came to Bengaluru two years ago. A week before the ‘black Monday’ he left for Tamil Nadu to visit his family. As trouble unfolded, his office allowed him to stay back and work from home. On Saturday, Avinash finally decided to come back.
Once you reach close to the border area, the buses or cars on either side leave you as convenient to them. Then you have to take a transport to reach Hosur and from Hosur you have to change buses or public vans as available to reach Bengaluru or anywhere else in Karnataka or Tamil Nadu. I reached Bengaluru on Saturday night and I saw hundreds of people stranded on both sides of the Border. The money you spend during this nightmare and distance you travel on foot depends on your luck or ‘bad’ luck.Avinash Subramaniam, Bengaluru
The ‘pro-Kannada’ organisations like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike have renewed their calls to seal the borders and stage protests at Karnataka and Tamil Nadu border. While, Karnataka’s petition before the Cauvery Supervisory Committee (CSC) and Supreme Court is due on Monday and Tuesday, the public definitely wants an end to the turmoil and violence.
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