Bengaluru bandh over Cauvery dispute sees partial response

The Bengaluru bandh called by various organisations over the Cauvery river water dispute evoked partial response on Tuesday, as most of the public services functioned normally but fewer people than usual ventured out.

- R.JAYAPRAKASH

‘Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti’, an umbrella outfit of farmers’ associations and other organisations led by Kuruburu Shanthakumar, had given the call for Tuesday’s dawn to dusk (6am to 6pm) shutdown.

Earlier in the day, Shanthakumar and other leaders of the Samiti were detained by the police at the Mysuru Bank circle, as they were trying to lead a protest march towards Town Hall. Several activists of pro-Kannada organisations were also whisked away by the police at Town Hall, as they gathered there to stage a protest. Farmers’ leaders and pro-Kannada activists hit out at the government for allegedly using police force to curtail the protests and the bandh.

Farmers and pro-Kannada organisations with their leaders, including Shanthakumar and others, later staged protests at Freedom Park, which is the only designated place for such demonstrations.