Villagers on border fear riots, not bandit king

Villagers on border fear riots, not bandit king
K SHIVA KUMAR

MYSORE, AUG 28: Fear ripples in the villages on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border. It comes not from the thought of the bandit, but from memories. Veerappan's demands have brought back images of Cauvery riots -- and the possibility of such incidents again.

The delay in Dr Rajkumar's release has caused villagers to stay away from Chamarajnagar which was torn apart by Cauvery riots. Most people have left for their faraway farmhouses, women and children have been sent to their native villages. Nagavalli, Nallore, Jyothigowdanapura, Epassur, Dholipura and Kempusur have seen an exodus of women and children.

The Chamarajnagar-Sathyamangalam road, the busiest of roads that link Coimbatore and Mysore, has recorded a steep fall in vehicular movement. Tamil Nadu State Transport buses have been withdrawn and roadside eateries have downed their shutters. Naganna, who works in a roadside restaurant, said trucks and other vehicles that ply through Chamarajnagar, Hasnur, Talavadi have got their number plates removed.

Trucks now move in a convoy during the night. ``I start at night and park my vehicle in a place along with Tamil Nadu-registered vehicles on the outskirts of the town,'' one driver said. The situation is the same on the other side of the border.

The withdrawal of bus services from Sathyamanglam to Chamarajnagar has hampered life in Chamrajnagar. Loads of clothes that come from Tamil Nadu for Ganesh Chaturthi have not arrived. The impact is also felt on the textile industry in Periyar district across the border. Turmeric has not been picked this year.

Representatives of Tamilians who were badly affected during the Cauvery riots said they were aware of the intensity of the problem. ``We are thankful to both the Governments for their seriousness and commitment towards the actor's release and for ensuring peace,'' they said.

Members who meet once a month under the Tamil Sangham banner have appealed to the people to maintain peace. They are thankful to the Chamarajnagar district in-charge minister M. Mahadev and the Government machinery for the moral support extended to them. ``It's only the women and children, who had witnessed Cauvery riots earlier, who have left. They will come back only after the safe release of Rajkumar,'' one farmer said.

In Chikkahole and other villages, Kannadigas have assured their support to the Tamilians. ``Why should we break our relationships because of what Veerappan has done?'' says Natraj, a resident in Chamarajnagar.

Meanwhile, the district administration has deployed additional forces in Chamrajnagar and surrounding areas.