Karnataka bandh peaceful: near total in north; lukewarm response in south

Thursday’s Karnataka bandh called by various pro-Kannada and farmer organisations was by and large peaceful. Even though the bandh call received lukewarm response in southern parts, it was near total in other parts of the state.

The bandh was called to demand Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and resolve the Mahadayi river water sharing dispute between Goa and Karnataka.

Police all across the state remained on high alert. Additional forces had been deployed in trouble-prone areas across the state. Protests were held in district centres and second tier cities got a mixed or a lukewarm response.

Meanwhile, the Goa government-run Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) suspended its bus services to Karnataka today owing to the bandh called in the neighbouring state.

In another development, the Goa government has set up a four-member committee to monitor any possible activity in Maharashtra or Karnataka to divert the river water.

Bengaluru

Normal life was disrupted in different parts of Bengaluru due to the state-wide bandh called by pro-Kannada outfits demanding central government's intervention into the inter-state Mahadayi river water dispute with the neighboring Goa.

The bandh was for most part peaceful and no untoward incident was reported anywhere in the city.

Thousands of pro-Kannada activists started their rally around 12 noon. They burnt an effigy of Central government near Town Hall, and the procession reached Freedom Park around 3 pm.

Majestic bus station wore a deserted look and normal life was hit after KSRTC and BMTC suspended their services after pro-Kannada outfits activists pelted stones and threatened to stop buses at Majestic bus station around 7.30 am. All passengers were made to get out of the buses.

BMTC officials said, they will monitor the situation on an hourly basis before rescheduling trips.

BMRCL's Metro services were not hit. Metro trains were running on both the purple and green lines with 10-minute frequency, but ridership was minimal.

Hubballi

At Hubballi, Mahadayi agitators mobbed the City Central railway station for a 'rail roko' and were driven out by the Railway Protection Force police.

Uttara Kannada

In Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district which is a BJP stronghold, normal life remained unaffected by the state wide bandh. Bus services remained functional and colleges and schools remained open for students.

"Mofussil buses are plying as usual. The Hubballi bus in the morning was allowed to reach its destination. We will watch the situation in other districts and then dispatch buses," a KSRTC official said.

Raichur

In Raichur, there was no response to the bandh at all. Normal life continued as usual and shops, schools, colleges, bus services remained normal. Only buses bound for Hubballi were stopped. All the other buses are plying as usual said the KSRTC depot manager.

Chitradurga

At Chitradurga, Karunadu Rakshana Sena protested before the Gandhi statue. They called out slogans against the Goa government and burnt the effigy of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The city armed reserve (CAR) police were present there in strength. KSRTC services were suspended and passengers were highly inconvenienced. Private bus services remained functional. Shops remained open.

Ballari

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike protesters burnt tires at the Royal circle and shouted slogans. They have planned a 'rail roko' protest and stop the Kalburagi express coming into the city.

Vijayapura

Movement of private vehicles was as usual in Vijayapura. The deputy commissioner informed DH that no holiday had been declared for schools and colleges.

Dharwad

Mahadayi protests began early in the morning in Dharwad. The agitators shouted slogans against Goa Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar for his derogatory statements against Kannadigas; and burnt his effigy. Shops, schools, colleges, market places were shut and bus services were suspended. Police remained on high alert.

Yadagiri

Mahadayi protestors staged a 'rail roko' and halted an express train in Yadgiri on Thursday. The police had barricaded the railway station entrance but Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists barged through the barricade and stopped the train.

Davanagere

KSRTC services were suspended temporarily in Davanagere. Shops and petrol bunk were forced to shut down by protestors. Protests were staged at Jayadeva circle and the protesters prevented passengers from entering the bus station in the morning.

Mysuru

Pro-Kannada organisations gheraoed the city bus stand here and staged a protest. As a result the city and mofussil bus services were affected. The dharna staged by activists were cleared by the police.

MP Pratap Simha arrived at the bus stand and tried to prevent the protesters from blocking buses. "You are intentionally allowing them to cause inconvenience to people," he accused officials.

KSRTC bus services were totally suspended. Autos, private bus were plying as usual. Schools, colleges, government offices, banks were all open for business.

Tumakuru

Mahadayi activists barged into the central bus stand and railway station and staged protests. Bus services have been suspended from 9 am on Thursday. Police arrested many of the activists. Shops remain closed. Hotels remained open. Autos were plying freely.

Chikkaballapur

The bandh for Mahadayi received a poor response in Chikkaballapur city. Normal life continued without obstruction. The outfits here had supported the bandh in word only, owning moral responsibility by not disrupting normal life. Schools, colleges and government offices remained open.

Ramanagaram

Shops remained closed in Ramanagaram and KSRTC suspended bus services. Private vehicles moved around freely. People of Bengaluru who go to work at Ramanagaram were highly inconvenienced. The deputy commissioner had ordered schools and colleges to remain closed.

In the morning Kasturi Karnataka Janapara Vedike, Karunada Sene and other outfits staged protests at the Ijoor circle and burnt an effigy of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Mangaluru

Activists of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike in Mangaluru tried to stage a 'rail roko' at the central railway station. They sat on the rails in protest and were removed by the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

As Karave activists came out of the station, there was a heated argument between them and Tulu Nadu Rakshana activists who protested against Karave's derogatory statements against an Tulu Nadu activist John. They also demanded support for the 'Save Nethravathi' campaign.