Bandh peaceful, near-total in northern Karnataka

The Karnataka bandh called by various pro-Kannada and farmer organisations on Thursday was by and large peaceful; and near-total across the state.

The bandh was called to demand Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and resolve the Mahadayi river water sharing dispute between Goa and Karnataka.

Protests were held in district centres and second tier cities got a mixed or a lukewarm response.

Bus services in the district HQs came to a grinding halt in many place. However, movement of autorickshaws and private vehicles was not affected anywhere.
 

Sans violence, the agitations were mainly expressed through effigy burning, shaving heads, rolling on the street and chanting slogans.

Police all across the state remained on high alert. Additional forces had been deployed in trouble-prone areas across the state.

Hubballi

At Hubballi, Mahadayi agitators mobbed the City Central railway station for a 'rail roko' and were driven out by the Railway Protection Force police.

Sirsi (Uttara Kannada dist.)

In Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district which is a BJP stronghold, normal life remained unaffected by the state wide bandh. Bus services remained functional and colleges and schools remained open for students.

"Mofussil buses are plying as usual. The Hubballi bus in the morning was allowed to reach its destination. We will watch the situation in other districts and then dispatch buses," a KSRTC official said.

Raichur

In Raichur, there was no response to the bandh at all. Normal life continued as usual and shops, schools, colleges, bus services remained normal. Only buses bound for Hubballi were stopped. All the other buses are plying as usual said the KSRTC depot manager.

Chitradurga

At Chitradurga, Karunadu Rakshana Sena protested before the Gandhi statue. They called out slogans against the Goa government and burnt the effigy of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The city armed reserve (CAR) police were present there in strength. KSRTC services were suspended and passengers were highly inconvenienced. Private bus services remained functional. Shops remained open.

Ballari

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike protesters burnt tires at the Royal circle and shouted slogans. They have planned a 'rail roko' protest and stop the Kalburagi express coming into the city.  

Vijayapura

Movement of private vehicles was as usual in Vijayapura. The deputy commissioner informed DH that no holiday had been declared for schools and colleges.

Dharwad

Mahadayi protests began early in the morning in Dharwad. The agitators shouted slogans against Goa Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar for his derogatory statements against Kannadigas; and burnt his effigy. Shops, schools, colleges, market places were shut and bus services were suspended. Police remained on high alert.  

Yadagiri

Mahadayi protestors staged a 'rail roko' and halted an express train in Yadgiri on Thursday. The police had barricaded the railway station entrance but Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists barged through the barricade and stopped the train.

Davanagere

KSRTC services were suspended temporarily in Davanagere. Shops and petrol bunk were forced to shut down by protestors. Protests were staged at Jayadeva circle and the protesters prevented passengers from entering the bus station in the morning.

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