Be cautious in troubled Indian states, M’sians told

JOHOR BARU: Although a three-day curfew has ended in Bangalore following protests over a water dispute, Malaysians visiting the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will now have to deal with unrest there.

They have been advised to get in touch with the consulate for updates about strikes or riots.

Businessman P. Sankaran, 29, who is in Tamil Nadu for a business trip since Thursday, said he planned to avoid the border areas with Karnataka as the situation was still volatile.

“Most of the shops and restaurants here are closed because of the strike in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

“I have been relying on advice from the Malaysian consulate since I arrived on Thursday.”

Sankaran, who has been travelling to India over the past 10 years for business, said that sentiments over the water issue remained.

There is a dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the distribution of water of Cauvery River.

Farmers in both states rely on the water from the river, which originates in Karnataka and flows into Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu said it was not getting enough supply and blamed Karnataka.

Protests erupted in Bangalore, which is the capital of Karnataka, when a court on Sept 12 ordered the state release 15,000 cubic feet of water per second each day from the river to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka is facing an acute shortage of water in its reservoirs and rivers.

Veterinary science student K. Sri Kuhan, who is studying in Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s capital, said the situation was calm so far at his campus.

“But we have advised our members not to travel to Karnataka,” he said, adding that there were about 200 Malaysian students in the city.

Most of them are studying dentistry, veterinary science or music.

Malaysian consulate-general in Chennai, Ahmad Fajarazam Abdul Jalil, advised the 5,000 Malaysians in Tamil Nadu to be careful and adhere to local rules and regulations following Friday’s strike there.

He said they should stay calm but to be careful of their safety.

“We also urge Malaysians to maintain contact with the consulate-general in Chennai for more information,” he said.

The consulate had earlier advised Malaysians flying to Bangalore in Karnataka to be careful.

Malaysians needing assistance can contact the consulate-general in Chennai on the hotline numbers +91 44 2433 4434 or mobile +91 99 4033 7339 or +91 97 9111 4261.