K’taka bandh: B’luru comes to a halt; M’luru-Dharmasthala govt bus service called

Bengaluru/Mysuru/Mangaluru, 30 Jul: Several places in North Karnataka including the state capital have been affected due to the state-wide bandh called after the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) order declined Karnataka’s plea for diversion of 7 tmcft of water from the river to the Malaprabha basin.

 

The bandh has been called by pro-Kannada organizations.

 

Several passengers are stranded at Majestic as autos, cabs, BMTC, KSRTC buses are off the roads in Bengaluru. Brigade Road, MG Road and Commercial Street are also likely to be shut.

 

Protestors have burnt tyres in some areas and private cars have also been attacked.

 

Since the film fraternity is supporting the bandh, screening of movies and any film-related activity has been called off for the day.

 

Protests were seen at Chamarajanagar and students are said to be severely affected. Petrol bunks in Mysuru have been shut in wake of the bandh and this has severely affected motorists. Protestors blocked the KRS-Mysuru road. In Davanagere, protestors have pelted stones at private buses.

 

Police have resorted to lathi charge to control the mob.

 

While Mangaluru has remained unaffected by the bandh, government bus service between Mangaluru and Dharmasthala has been called off due to the state-wide bandh and it has severely affected students.

 

Protestors have now sought the Prime Minister’s intervention into the matter.