Karnataka bandh: Section 144 in southern districts; schools, colleges closed

Authorities have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code in Bengaluru Urban, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara and Hassan districts, and declared a holiday for schools and colleges there.

On Friday, Bengaluru Police detained members of the pro-Kannada organisations protesting near Attibele on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.

'Kannada Okkoota' is an umbrella organsation of Kannada and farmers' outfits. A Bengaluru bandh was observed over the same reason on Tuesday. Most of the shops, business establishments and eateries in Cauvery basin districts such as Mandya in southern part of the state downed their shutters. Private vehicles were off the roads in those areas. The state-owned transport corporations operated very few buses in the southern districts fearing a backlash. The bandh evoked a mixed response in other regions of the state.

Protestors set fire to a portrait of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin in the district headquarters town of Chitradurga.

The Kannada film industry has extended support to the bandh. Theatres across the state have cancelled shows till evening, with the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association backing the bandh.

Most of the information technology companies and other firms in Bengaluru have asked their employees to work from home. Key market areas in Bengaluru such as Chikpet, Balepet and adjoining business areas too wore a deserted look.

The Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union and Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Associations too have extended their support to the bandh.

Over 1,900 associations have endorsed the bandh. Grocery stores and other non-essential shops across the state, including Bengaluru, are anticipated to shut down, while vital services such as hospitals, ambulances, and pharmacies will continue to operate.

Flights cancelled

As many as 44 flights to and from the Kempegowda International Airport here were cancelled owing to the Karnataka bandh over the Cauvery water sharing issue with Tamil Nadu, airport authorities said on Friday.

Similarly, state transport corporations too cancelled many of their bus services, especially in the Cauvery basin districts of Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar, where the bandh had the most impact. Some passengers had a harrowing time as they missed their flights, buses and trains due to the day-long shutdown.

Many passengers were distraught following the cancellation of flights and bus services. "We cancelled 44 flights today. They include 22 flights to and an equal number of flights from Bengaluru due to the strike," an airport official told PTI.

(With inputs from agencies)