<p>Normal life came to a standstill in the city on Saturday, following the Karnataka bandh call given by various Kannada organisations to protest against Tamil Nadu government’s objection to the plans of the Karnataka government to build a dam across River Cauvery at Mekedatu, in Ramanagar district.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The otherwise busy central business district (CBD), D Devaraj Urs road, Sayyaji Rao road, Shivarampet, Dhanwantri road, K T Street, Ashoka road, Agrahara, malls and markets to name a few, wore a deserted look, with shopkeepers downing the shutters. Though the traffic flow was thin, it was restricted to localities like Vidyaranyapuram, Kuvempunagar, Vontikoppal, Paduvarahalli and other areas.<br /><br />Anticipating trouble, KSRTC buses — both inter-district and city services — stayed off the roads, followed by autorickshaws and cabs among the public transport operators. However, the city bus services resumed at 3.30 pm, a KSRTC official told Deccan Herald.<br />Film exhibitors resumed screening from first show, while some petrol bunks preferred to remain closed even after dusk. <br /><br />Centre of protest<br />K R Circle was chock-a-block with Kannada activists owing allegiance to different organisations staging a token protest. The Falcon Tyres Employees Union, which is on an indefinite stir since a fortnight demanding reopening of the factory, too supported the bandh call and formed a human chain at the circle along with the activists. They took out a rally to draw the attention of the authorities concerned towards their demands. <br /><br />Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists staged a road block at Field Marshal K M Cariappa Circle, while members of Kasturi Janapara Kannada Vedike staged a sit-in in front of Varaha Gate, the main entrance of the Amba Vilas Palace. <br /><br />Tourist places<br />Tourist places like Amba Vilas Palace, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Chamundi Hills, Karanji Lake witnessed a low tourists turnout.<br /><br />Force closed<br />Learning about some government offices functioning despite the bandh call, a section of Kannada activists forced close some departments functioning at the Crawford Hall, the administrative wing of the University of Mysore. The main post office at Nehru Circle (Lashkar Circle) was also forced to shut doors for the day.<br /></p>
<p>Normal life came to a standstill in the city on Saturday, following the Karnataka bandh call given by various Kannada organisations to protest against Tamil Nadu government’s objection to the plans of the Karnataka government to build a dam across River Cauvery at Mekedatu, in Ramanagar district.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The otherwise busy central business district (CBD), D Devaraj Urs road, Sayyaji Rao road, Shivarampet, Dhanwantri road, K T Street, Ashoka road, Agrahara, malls and markets to name a few, wore a deserted look, with shopkeepers downing the shutters. Though the traffic flow was thin, it was restricted to localities like Vidyaranyapuram, Kuvempunagar, Vontikoppal, Paduvarahalli and other areas.<br /><br />Anticipating trouble, KSRTC buses — both inter-district and city services — stayed off the roads, followed by autorickshaws and cabs among the public transport operators. However, the city bus services resumed at 3.30 pm, a KSRTC official told Deccan Herald.<br />Film exhibitors resumed screening from first show, while some petrol bunks preferred to remain closed even after dusk. <br /><br />Centre of protest<br />K R Circle was chock-a-block with Kannada activists owing allegiance to different organisations staging a token protest. The Falcon Tyres Employees Union, which is on an indefinite stir since a fortnight demanding reopening of the factory, too supported the bandh call and formed a human chain at the circle along with the activists. They took out a rally to draw the attention of the authorities concerned towards their demands. <br /><br />Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists staged a road block at Field Marshal K M Cariappa Circle, while members of Kasturi Janapara Kannada Vedike staged a sit-in in front of Varaha Gate, the main entrance of the Amba Vilas Palace. <br /><br />Tourist places<br />Tourist places like Amba Vilas Palace, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Chamundi Hills, Karanji Lake witnessed a low tourists turnout.<br /><br />Force closed<br />Learning about some government offices functioning despite the bandh call, a section of Kannada activists forced close some departments functioning at the Crawford Hall, the administrative wing of the University of Mysore. The main post office at Nehru Circle (Lashkar Circle) was also forced to shut doors for the day.<br /></p>
