Mahadayi issue bringing major bandh today

With more number of organisations extending support for the call given for Malaprabha command area bandh on Wednesday (December 27), twin cities are expected to be shut for a day once again on Mahadayi issue, after a gap of several months.

The bandh call has been given by Mahadayi and Kalasa-Banduri Horata Samanvaya Samithi and other farmer organisations and the Malaprabha command area covers four districts-- Dharwad, Belagavi, Gadag and Bagalkot.

The 6:00 am to 6:00 pm bandh on Wednesday here would begin with Mahadayi agitators will gather at the NWKRTC's depot at Hosur at 6:00 am. From there, they would take out rally and visit market places asking shop-keepers to stop business. Members of various organisations would take out rally from different areas and would gather at Chennamma Circle.

Protesters have also planned to stage rasta roko at different places, and to picket Union Government offices and MP's office and residence also. Farmers from surrounding villages are also expected to take part in the protest.

In last several years, Hubballi-Dharwad have experienced several bandhs, sometimes repeatedly, on Mahadayi issue. Now, charging that State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa's act of getting a letter from Goa Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa was a disappointing one, Mahadayi agitators are observing another bandh, seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to resolve inter-state dispute over Mahadayi water sharing.

"On Wednesday, we would stop the movement of buses, while autorickshaw drivers' association has also extended the support for the bandh. Schools and colleges would remain closed, while a large number of students are also expected to participate in the protest. However, we would ensure that medical shops, hospitals and patients do not face problem," Malaprabha Mahadayi Kalasa-Banduri Raith Horata Okkuta honorary president Shivanna Hubballi, Corporator Rajanna Koravi and others said.

They told media persons here on Tuesday that announcements were being made using autorickshaws, while citizens were being requested to take part in protest, instead of considering it as a holiday.

"After this bandh, we will discuss about staging protest in New Delhi and in front of residences of all MPs from the State, during the winter session of the Parliament," Mr Koravi added.

In addition to the prime minister's intervention in Mahadayi issue, waiver of farmers' loans with nationalised banks, rectifying errors in Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and minimum support price for crops are also the demands of the agitators.

Heavy bundobust

To maintain peace and to prevent any untoward incident during the bandh, around 2,000 police personnel along with six KSRP platoons would be on bundobust duty, while liquor sale is also prohibited from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

"Measures have been taken to prevent bad elements taking the advantage of the situation, while preventive arrests would also be made if needed. Traffic diversion would be made wherever needed. Damage for properties and life should not be caused during the bandh," Police Commissioner M N Nagaraj said.

Operations of buses would be suspended, but police protection would be provided if the NWKRTC decides to run some buses on particular routes. Protection would be given for government offices also, he added.

Meanwhile, NWKRTC Chairman Sadanand Danganavar has made an appeal to the people not to damage buses during the bandh, adding that the bus service would be suspended till evening.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Karnatak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Karnataka Rajya Pakshateeta Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti, Jewellers' Association, Ola Cab Owners' Association and other organisations have extended support for the bandh.

No schools, colleges, exams

Deputy Commissioner S B Bommanahalli has declared holiday for all schools and colleges in the district on Wednesday (December 27).

Karnatak University Dharwad (KUD) and Karnataka State Law University (KSLU) have postponed the examinations scheduled on Wednesday to December 31. Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) and Akkamahadevi Women's University have also postponed the examinations which were scheduled to be held on Wednesday.