New Delhi:
Life may not be disrupted on Monday despite pro-Kannada outfits calling for a statewide bandh over various issues. 'Kannada Okoota’, an umbrella organisation of Kannada bodies has called for a dawn to dusk bandh across the state.
Various pro-Kannada organisations have supported the bandh which is based on demands which include farm loan waiver, PM Modi’s intervention in the Mahadayi river water dispute and a permanent solution to the problem regarding water scarcity in arid areas.
Moreover, the outfits have been demanding for the exile of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti activists from the state for their alleged ‘anti Kannada’ activities in Belagavi.
Visuals from Bengaluru: Pro-Kannada organisations call for statewide shutdown over Mahadayi river dispute & drinking water crisis #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/SH25hfHi5x
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 12, 2017
According to Vatal Nagaraj, who heads Kannada Okoota, the bandh has been called in order to protest against Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the Mekedatu project across the river Cauvery apart from the proposal to privatise BEML. However, state intelligence bureau believes the bandh to be a low-key affair.
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Schools will remain open
Government schools and colleges are set to remain open on Monday, whereas some private ones have decided to declare a holiday keeping in mind students’ safety. Some private schools have also appealed to the government to enhance security or aid schools in districts where violence is expected. The fourth-semester postgraduate exams of Bengaluru University have been postponed.
Moreover, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has also postponed its first year B.Ed examinations and seventh-semester examinations.
Transport services will be normal
Union leaders and officials have said that the transport services will be normal. Autorickshaws, metro and buses will ply on Monday. The officials of BMRCL have said that the Namma metro will be operational. Moreover, the BMTC and KSRTC will also operate buses. The radio cab services will also be operational, say officials of Bangalore Tourist Taxi Operators’ Association.
Karnataka: Pro-Kannada activists call for bandh over Mahadayi water dispute
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) June 12, 2017
Read @ANI_news story | https://t.co/xp7IgddLjq pic.twitter.com/VzfhBmR5b4
Precautionary measures undertaken
Karnataka police have however said that precautionary measures have been undertaken and no permission has been provided to hold protests. Sensitive areas in central Bengaluru will be continuously monitored. Police inspectors have been asked to be on patrol duty on Monday. Reserve police battalion from the City Armed Reserve (CAR), District Armed Reserve (DAR) and Karnataka State Reserve Police personnel will be deployed in the city.”
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Visuals from Hubli: Pro-Kannada organisations call for statewide shutdown over Mahadayi river dispute & drinking water crisis #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/oNds3evM4N
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 12, 2017
