Bandh peaceful in southern Karnataka; response lukewarm

The Karnataka bandh called by various pro-Kannada and farmer activists was largely peaceful.

While the bandh was near total in some southern districts, it received a lukewarm response in others. Normal life was affected in many places.

The bandh was called demanding the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Mahadayi river water sharing dispute between Goa and Karnataka.

Mangaluru

In Mangaluru, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists tried to stage a 'rail roko' at the central railway station. They sat on the rails in protest and were removed by the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

As Karave activists came out of the station, there was a heated argument between them and Tulu Nadu Rakshana activists who protested against Karave's derogatory statements against an Tulu Nadu activist John. They also demanded support for the 'Save Nethravathi' campaign.

Mysuru

Pro-Kannada organisations gheraoed the city bus stand here and staged a protest. As a result the city and mofussil bus services were affected. The dharna staged by activists were cleared by the police.

MP Pratap Simha arrived at the bus stand and tried to prevent the protesters from blocking buses. "You are intentionally allowing them to cause inconvenience to people," he accused officials.

KSRTC bus services were totally suspended. Autos, private bus were plying as usual. Schools, colleges, government offices, banks were all open for business.

Tumakuru

Mahadayi activists barged into the central bus stand and railway station and staged protests. Bus services have been suspended from 9 am on Thursday. Police arrested many of the activists. Shops remain closed. Hotels remained open. Autos were plying freely.

Chikkaballapur

The bandh for Mahadayi received a poor response in Chikkaballapur city. Normal life continued without obstruction. The outfits here had supported the bandh in word only, owning moral responsibility by not disrupting normal life. Schools, colleges and government offices remained open.

Ramanagaram

Shops remained closed in Ramanagaram and KSRTC suspended bus services. Private vehicles moved around freely. People of Bengaluru who go to work at Ramanagaram were highly inconvenienced. The deputy commissioner had ordered schools and colleges to remain closed.

In the morning Kasturi Karnataka Janapara Vedike, Karunada Sene and other outfits staged protests at the Ijoor circle and burnt an effigy of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.