Security heightened in Cauvery basin for bandh

Holiday for schools, colleges in four districts in Mysuru region

Security has been beefed up in Mysuru region — in Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Hassan districts — in the wake of the bandh call given by various organisations for Friday, following the release of the Cauvery River water, in line with the Supreme Court’s direction to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 10 days.

In Mysuru, Deputy Commissioner D Randeep convened a meeting of the officials regarding precautionary measures, here, on Thursday. He directed the officials concerned to take necessary measures to check any untoward incident and to provide public transportation to avoid inconvenience to the people.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr H T Shekar said, a few localities in the city have been identified as sensitive as. Extra police force would be deployed in such places. “Adequate security would be provided to Central government and State government offices. If necessary, security will be provided to private organisations also,” he said.

The DC said, as the lands in Nanjangud and T Narsipur taluks are largely irrigated, the farmers are agitated there and special attention should be given to such places during the bandh.

He warned against miscreants misusing the opportunity of the bandh to either harass the people or to damage public or private property. “Stringent action should be taken against miscreants. If the people come across any untoward incident, they should call the DC’s control room on 0821-2423800,” he said.

KSRTC sources said a decision would be taken about the bus services after assessing the situation. Additional DC T Venkatesh, Mysuru Assistant Commissioner C L Anand, Hunsur AC Sowjanya and MUDA commissioner Dr M Mahesh were present. Additional police personnel have been deputed in all the four districts as a precautionary measure. In Mandya district, security has been beefed up near the KRS dam, near the Cauvery river and the city. In HD Kote taluk, Mysuru district, extra forces have been deployed for the security of Kabini dam at Beechanahalli. In Hassan district also, security has been beefed up near Hemavathi and Yagachi dams.
In view of the Karnataka bandh, holiday has been declared for educational institutions in Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Hassan districts as a precautionary measure.