Chennai: After a brief respite, protests over the Cauvery dispute have resumed in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka today. Suspected protesters attacked and damaged a well-known hotel in Chennai run by a Karnataka native. There were also reports of arson attacks on vehicles carrying Karnataka registration. Police have stepped up security at schools and institutions run by Kannada organizations in Tamil Nadu.

In the wee hours of Monday, a group of protesters gathered around the New Woodlands Hotel in Mylapore, and damaged its window panes using iron rods and wooden logs. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

The police suspect that the attack was in retaliation to the video that surfaced on the social media, showing a 22-year-old Tamil youth getting beaten up by a group of men in Bengaluru for allegedly posting “derogatory” remarks against Kannada film actors, and for his anti-Karnataka stand.

Protests have gone up in Karnataka too, especially after rumours that the state could be ordered to release more water to Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, seven tourist vehicles from Karnataka that were parked at a temple in Rameswaram were vandalized by protesters belonging to various outfits, including the Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam. The group entered the parking area of a temple near Agni Theertham, and attacked the vehicles with clubs and stones. Seven persons, including a member of the Tamizhar Desiya Front, were arrested. Search is on for the rest.