#CauveryIssue distressful, says PM Modi

"Situation that has emerged in Karnataka & Tamil Nadu, as a fallout of issue of distribution of waters of Cauvery River, is distressful," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister added that he is pained at the developments.

"I am personally pained at the developments," he said.

"Violence cannot provide a solution to any problem. In a democracy, solutions are found through restraint and mutual dialogue," PM Modi said.

The PM has urged people to stay within the law and not break it.

"This dispute can only be solved within the legal ambit. Breaking the law is not a viable alternative," he said.

PM Modi also added that the violence is not only causing losses to people's property but also the government's.

"The violence and arson seen in the last two days is only causing loss to the poor, and to our nation’s property," he said.

"Whenever the country has faced adverse circumstances, the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, just like people across the country have always handled the situation with sensitivity," PM Modi said.

Asking the citizens of two states to take a sensitive stand, the Prime Minister said, "I appeal to the people of the two States, to display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities."

"I trust you will keep national interest and nation building above all else and give priority to restraint, harmony, and finding a solution, eschewing violence, destruction and arson," he added.

The massive protest in Karnataka over the Cauvery water issue took a bad turn on Monday with angry mob burning Tamil Nadu-registered trucks and buses on the roads and vandalizing shops in the Bengaluru city.

According to reports, even a person died in police firing in Bengaluru during protests.

Prohibitory orders were imposed in Bengaluru as fresh violence erupted in even as the Supreme Court modified its earlier order, asking the state to release lesser amount of water to Tamil Nadu.

Some 15,000 policemen have been posted across the city.

The Supreme Court  modified its last week's order, asking the Karnataka  Government to release to Tamil Nadu 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water-  3,000 cusecs less than what was directed last week-daily till Sept  20.

Karnataka had made a plea with the  court to suspend its order to release 15,000 cusecs of water.

On Monday morning, the Woodlands hotel in Chennai was attacked allegedly by a fringe Tamil group, who hurled petrol bombs, damaging  glass panes and windows.

The group also allegedly left pamphlets warning of retaliation if Tamils were targeted in Karnataka.

The attack is being seen as a retaliation to a Tamil engineering student being thrashed in Bengaluru on Sunday allegedly for making derogatory comments on Kannada actors and also commenting on the Cauvery dispute.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has appealed to social media users to not support any hate campaign.