Date:08/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/08/stories/2007020814360400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Tamils need have no fear'

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday assured in the Legislative Assembly that the linguistic minorities, particularly Tamils, need not worry about their safety during the State bandh called by Kannada organisations on February 12.

The bandh has been called to protest against the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

Replying to the former Minister and Congress leader R. Roshan Baig, the lone member to raise the issue of exodus of Tamils, especially construction workers from the city fearing trouble, the Chief Minister said the police had been directed to take preventive measures to protect people and their property.

Work affected

Mr. Baig pointed out that because of the tense atmosphere in the State, large number of Tamils had left the State and because of that construction activity in the city had been affected.

Supporting him, S. Rajendran said the Government should not only protect the Tamils, but everyone in the State.

Pranab's pat

Mr. Kumaraswamy also said that Defence Minister Pranab Mukherji had thanked him and the people for postponing the bandh to February 12 and obliging the Defence Ministry to hold the airshow in Bangalore despite their agony because of the tribunal verdict.