Bandh over Cauvery issue disrupts life in Bengaluru, southern parts of Karnataka

Normal life was disrupted in most of the districts in the Southern region of Karnataka with schools, colleges, shops, food establishments, small enterprises, IT companies remaining closed for the day. Nagaraj, who entered Townhall Junction with his supporters, was detained by the Bengaluru police and sent to Freedom Park.

However, public transport including BMTC and KSRTC services and metro trains operated normally. As many as 44 flights were cancelled in Kempegowda International Airport. Airport authorities said that 22 incoming flights and 22 outbound flights from the airport were cancelled due to operational issues, and the matter was notified to the passengers in advance. As many as 12 protesters who tried to barge into the airport were detained in the early hours and were placed in preventive custody by the Bengaluru city police. In Bengaluru, around 400-500 protesters were detained by the police from different parts of the city. They were released later.

The BMTC operated on all routes normally, while KSRTC completed 58% of their scheduled services by afternoon. KSRTC managing director V Anbukumar said, “Long distance buses operated normally in the state. Although the occupancy was less, by evening the footfall had increased.”

Meanwhile, amid high security in Attibele, near Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, several pro-Kannada outfit members were detained. On the other side of the border, Tamil Nadu police diverted all the vehicles entering Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, actor Shivarajkumar, who participated in a public meeting organised by the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce, called upon the heads of the states for dialogue to resolve the Cauvery water dispute. He also condemned the act by certain pro-Kannada activists who disrupted the press meet of Tamil actor Siddharth in Bengaluru on Thursday and forced him out of the venue. “All the farmers are the same. There is no difference between a Karnataka farmer or a Tamil Nadu farmer. It is important for both the heads of the states and the central government to come together for a dialogue and resolve this long-standing dispute.”

Mandya town came to a standstill as the protestors hit the streets urging the government not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The agriculture sector in Mandya district, which solely depends on Cauvery water for farming, is the hotbed in Cauvery water dispute.

In Mysuru, several shops and schools and colleges remain closed. The vehicle movement was scanty. In Ballari, Hubballi and Dharwad, the schools and colleges remained open. Though protests were held on the streets in some pockets of the region, normal life remained unaffected.