Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa: Took The Hard Decision To Shut Border With Kerala To Ensure Safety Of People In The State

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Saturday said he took the decision to to shut the state’s border with Kerala to ensure the safety of people in the state.

The CM was responding to a letter written by former PM HD Deve Gowda’s requesting CM to open the Karnataka-Kerala border as many people from Kerala are looking towards Karnataka for treatment.

Former PM Deve Gowda has been attempting to persuade Karnataka to lift the blockade on the movement of cargo vehicles into Kerala. Former PM Gowda had earlier promised Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that he would use his good offices with the Karnataka government to lift the blockade

CM Yediyurappa stated that the government was responsible for every individual in Karnataka.

The CM also stated that closing the Karnataka-Kerala border was not a hasty decision, and that it was done based on a detailed study that coronavirus cases had spread in Karnataka from Kasaragod and other parts of Kerala.

“We have official information on these cases in Kerala. The data given by Indian Medical Association, Mangaluru branch, is scary. There are 106 people affected with COVID-19 in Kasaragod. Therefore, experts advised that the border be closed. If we open the border, it will have an adverse impact on the state. It is our stand not to open the Karnataka-Kerala border,’’ the chief minister said.

The Chief Minister cited the Indian Medical Association, Mangaluru branch data regarding the spread of COVID-19 in Kasaragod district of Kerala and surrounding areas. Kasaragod saw a spike in cases last week.

Yediyurappa said that Gowda had cited humanitarian grounds to open the border.

“How can we differentiate between COVID and non-COVID patients? I am concerned about people residing in Kerala, but right now, we cannot open the border. Since PM Modi announced the 21-day lockdown, Karnataka has taken all measures, but if we open this border, it will affect us,’’ he said.

“It is more important as CM to take care of Karnataka’s people at this juncture. One need not add a political twist to this. Karnataka and Kerala are like brothers. We are committed to maintaining this relationship, he stated.

"There is also no political maliciousness. We want to have a good and brotherly relationship with neighbouring states," he said, adding that opening the border will be disastrous for Karnataka.

The Karnataka government had moved the Supreme Court, challenging the Kerala High Court’s order on April 1 to remove the blockades.