Karnataka Bandh: Protests at several places; police tighten security

Bengaluru: A ‘Bandh’ (shutdown) is being observed in the state today (September 29) to protest against the release of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu despite the drought situation in the state. Opposition parties including BJP and JDS have also supported the bandh raising the intensity of the bandh.

In the wake of the bandh, security arrangements have been tightened by the police. Section 144 has been clamped in Bengaluru till midnight on September 29.  Bengaluru Police Commissioner has warned that no group gathering, no forced bandh, no closing of shop fronts, and no blocking of vehicles will be allowed.

Public transport will be affected as autorickshaws and taxis, including Ola, and Uber will remain off-road as the Ola Uber Drivers and Owners’ Association (OUDOA) and Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union have supported today’s Karnataka bandh. Restaurants are expected to remain closed as the hotels association has also given its support to the bandh call. The film industry has also supported and there will be no screening till 6 pm.

Members of the Karunada Karmikara Sanghatane, a labour organisation, were seen with blindfolds in protest at KR market.  They were whisked away from the market area by police.

As a precautionary measure, the police have taken 150 people, including rowdies, into preventive detention.

Meanwhile, the organizations in the coastal districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada have only given moral support to the Karnataka Bandh call.  Private buses are plying as usual and hotel and shop fronts are also open.