Karnataka Bandh: Govt offices likely to remain shut; Accenture, Wipro declare holiday in Bengaluru

New Delhi:

Several farmer outfits in Karnataka have called for a state-wide bandh on Thursday in protest against the “Centre’s apathy” towards the on-going inter-state Mahadayi river water dispute with Goa. 

The pro-Kannada groups are demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mediation in the matter. The state is seeking the release of 7.56 tmcft water for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project.

Private schools and state government offices are expected to remain closed during the bandh. The Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka has asked private schools to keep the safety and security of staff and students in mind while deciding whether to remain closed or stay open. 

IT offices in Bengaluru have also asked their employees to work from home or to take the day off.

Here are the highlights

1:45 pm: However, the buses to Hyderabad, which have to pass through Karnataka, moved during the early hours today before the bandh started

1:30 pm: The KTCL has been plying its buses, connecting Panaji to various places in Karnataka, like Belagavi, Hubli, Bagalkot, Bengaluru and others.

1:07 pm: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had earlier said his state could share the river water with Karnataka for drinking purposes and expressed his willingness for bilateral talks.

01:00 pm: The Supreme Court had last year ordered Karnataka to stop the work on the construction of the canal, which was aimed at diverting water from the Mahadayi tributary.

12:59 pm: Goa’s water resources minister Vinod Palyekar recently said the state government will file a contempt petition next month before the Supreme Court and the tribunal against Karnataka for allegedly resuming work on a canal at Kankumbi 

12:13 pm: Protest was also staged in front of Manyata Embassy Business Park, a software technology park in Bengaluru.

12:09 pm: A group of protesters tried to disrupt rail services by entering the Bengaluru’s Sangolli Rayanna railway station but police checked and detained them.

12:07 pm: As a precautionary step, schools and colleges in most parts of the state have declared holiday

12:04 pm: Autorickshaws and cabs were plying but in lesser numbers. Cab and auto rickshaw drivers said customers were few today as most of the offices have declared holiday.

9:00 am: So the bus services have been suspended in the state over Mahadayi water dispute.

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