A farmers' organisation in Tamil Nadu has moved the Madras High Court for a direction to the Centre to protect the lives and properties of Tamils in Karnataka.

The organisation said it feared for the safety of Tamils residing in Karnataka after the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal's final judgment on Monday.

In the writ petition, the Cuddalore-based organisation alleged that on the pretext of opposing the interim award of the tribunal in 1991, violence was unleashed on Tamils in Karnataka.

A three-day bandh called by Karnataka against the interim award witnessed unprecedented violence and destruction of properties, danger to lives and liberties and masses fleeing from Bangalore and other adjoining towns, he alleged.

The pattern of the offensive launched clearly showed that the violence was deliberate and planned and the police remained silent spectators, he alleged.

He submitted that on the eve of the final award of the tribunal he had sent a representation to the Centre and Tamil Nadu government seeking protection to Tamils living in Karnataka.

The petitioner sought an interim injunction restraining the Karnataka government from declaring any bandh in that state till the disposal of the petition.