However, the State transport corporation-run buses, besides trains were being operated as usual.
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For supporting shutdown in Tamil Nadu, opposition leaders MK Stalin and Kanimozhi of DMK were court arrested this morning.
After asking both state counsels to be prepared to answer questions on their failure to maintain law and order, the bench said, “We sincerely hope that wisdom shall prevail over the competent authorities of both states to maintain peace”.
Several local grocery shops, which usually open by daybreak, remained shut in view of the protests.
The state-wide 12-hour bandh from 6am to 6pm saw protests by a number of political parties condemning violence against Tamils in Karnataka and demanded a permanent solution to the Cauvery dispute between the two states. Police protection was given to the establishments owned by Karnataka government, besides commercial establishments run by Kannada people. There are very few private buses and auto rickshaws on the roads. “The Bandh has been called by farmers” associations and trade organisations and has completely derailed life in the state, as vehicles go off-road and schools and colleges, as well as 22 Lakh shops shut down. Members of Virudhuthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) were arrested by the police when they tried to stage rail roko agitation at Mayiladuthurai. All the leaders and ministers were bundled into police buses along with their supporters by the police and were taken away. They held placards and raised slogans against the Centre and Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments.
Police patrolling was intensified and all vulnerable areas were taken care of, a senior police officer said.
India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states and the row over sharing the Cauvery River, which starts in drought-hit Karnataka, stretches back decades.
“We will take decision on the matter as directed by the Supreme Court on September 5 when it had asked us to stick to the language of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal while deciding on the quantum of the water”, the source added.
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Jayalalithaa said that the court’s direction was sought after her government’s communication to Karnataka seeking release of its share of water from Cauvery and to Centre urging its intervention did not yield any results.
