India’s “Silicon Valley” – the city of Bengaluru – has come to a grindling halt following a shutdown in the southern state of Karnataka in protest against release of river waters to the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.
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Many passengers who had to board trains or flights during the day rushed to railway stations and airport in wee hours before the 12-hour shutdown began at 6 a.m. State-run Bengaluru metro rail corporation, which operates on the east-west corridor, also suspended its service till late evening.
In Mandya, the epicentre of the Cauvery protests, agitators have blocked the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway at several places. The opposition BJP is also supporting the bandh and its leaders will hold protests today. Businessestablishments, schools and colleges, Government offices, banks inboth public sector and private, IT companies, APMC market and allother public enterprises were shut down for the day across the state. Two companies of Central police force have been called from Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The transgender community in the district also took part in the bandh related demonstrations.
This is the second bandh that the state is bracing for in less than a week’s time and the fourth this year.
Bus owners organizations and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) said that movement of buses all over the twin-districts will be normal on Friday.
Chief Minister Siddaramiah made an appeal for peace and said there should be no damage to public property during the bandh.
Mangaluru city police commissioner, Chandra Sekhar said that security arrangements have been strengthened in the city limits and in case of unwanted activities, stern action will be taken. More than 65,000 police personnel, including officers have been deployed in sensitive areas across the state, especially in the reservoir areas in the Cauvery to avoid any untoward incident.
The 802 kilometre-long Cauvery river has a 44,000 square kilomter basin area in Tamil Nadu and a 32,000 square kilomter basin area in Karnataka.
The Supreme Court had on Monday ordered Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for ten days in order to save the samba crop.
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A shutdown has been declared in Karnataka today to protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, the apex court could issue suitable directions protecting the interests of people of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
