Karnataka: A Karnataka Bandh has been called for today (Tuesday) over releasing the Cauvery water to the neigbhouring Tamil Nadu by various organisations.
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) recently allowed to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 more days on the recommendation by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC).
The political parties and organisations who have called a bandh will also hold a protest march in the city.
An auto driver at Majestic BMTC Bus stop, Bengaluru, Naseer Khan said, "We support the bandh called by various organisations. When the Cauvery water issue comes, we have a very clear stand that Karnataka will not provide water to anyone. Only night drivers are here, autos will not run today, we will support the bandh."
Speaking on the bandh call, DCP central Bengaluru Shekar T Tekkannavar said, "...We have made adequate bandobast...as per the order of the commissioner, no protest or procession is allowed...traffic is normal"
Security forces have also been deployed in Bengaluru's Whitefield in view of the Bandh call.
In the meanwhile, the bandh call has made some impact in the city as many shops were seen closed. Also, there was minimum traffic on the roads. Take a look
What will remain closed and open during Bandh call in Bengaluru
- Cab-Taxi services are likely to be impacted after Tanveer Pasha, President of the Ola Uber Drivers' and Owners' Association extended their support to the bandh.
- Namma Metro services will continue to operate as per usual routine.
- Hospitals, and essential services will continue to work as per schedule.
- Government offices will also remain open.
- According to BMTC, all routes of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation will be operational as usual.
- Movie theatres are likely to remain close after Kannada film industry showed solidarity with the bandh.
- Restaurants in the city will remain open.
- Schools and colleges have extended support to the bandh call but there is uncertainty over their decision to remain close or open.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Police clamped curfew in Bengaluru city from Monday night to Tuesday night in the backdrop of the Bengaluru bandh call given by political parties and organisations condemning the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayanand stated, the bandh and the protest march would not be allowed and the police department was deputing over 10,000 policemen on Tuesday in Bengaluru city.
“The protestors have sought permission for a protest march from the Town Hall to Freedom Park. The High Court had warned them that the organisers would be held responsible if anything goes wrong,” Dayanand added.
He further clarified that there was no room for a forceful bandh on Tuesday in the IT city.
Police department has deputed 100 platoons of Special Forces in the city, 60 platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 40 platoons of the City Armed Reserve (CAR) in order to maintain law & order during the bandh call.
If necessary, the buses from Tamil Nadu will be given protection.
“There is no problem if people observe bandh on their own. There is no provision to impose bandh,” Police Commissioner B Dayanand said.
“All precautions are being taken to ensure no untoward incident takes place in the city. Along with the police, the special wing officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Internal Security Division (ISD) will also be deputed,” he explained.
With inputs from IANS
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