The Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj against the release of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu had little impact in the capital city of Bengaluru, where life operated as usual.
In Bengaluru, public transport plied, and schools, colleges, government offices and emergency services functioned as usual.
There has been no major disruption in regular bus services at Bengaluru's Satellite Bus Stand with KSRTC and BMTC buses operating as usual. Buses travelling to several places in Karnataka, including Mysore, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Melukote and Male Mahadeshwara Hills, are also operating normally.
As for other major cities, including Mandya and Mysuru, where the Cauvery River is the lifeline, the reaction was mixed.
In Mysuru, the bandh largely remained confined to protests. Bus services from the suburban bus stand to Bengaluru, Mangaluru and other parts of the state were operated normally.Commercial establishments, including shops and hotels opened as usual, while autos and taxis also operated without disruption.
In Mandya, farmers and pro-Kannada organisations staged protests at Sanjay Circle and other locations carrying empty pots and horse gram and chanting slogans such as "Our water, our right", and blocked the Bengaluru-Mysuru old highway. The horse gram was used as a symbol of the alternative crop farmers may be forced to grow instead of paddy because of the lack of water.
The Mandya district administration has imposed strict restrictions on the sale of liquor and increased security at key locations, including in K.R. Pet, Srirangapatna, Maddur and Mandya taluks. All types of liquor shops, bars and restaurants have been advised to remain closed. The District Collector has also imposed restrictions on the sale, transportation and storage of liquor in the district today.
Local police, DAR and KSRP teams have been deployed at the spot to maintain law and order during the bandh and prevent any untoward incidents.
Life was normal near Kempegowda International Airport near Devanahalli as hail taxi riders, airport taxis and KSTDC taxis operated normally.
Hassan also reported normal life. Bus, auto and other transport services operated as usual, while shops and other establishments remained open. Ballari reported a lukewarm response to the bandh, with normal activities continuing.
In Koppal, Kannada Rakshana Vedike activists staged a protest near the Heggnal toll gate. They stopped trucks, offered flowers to drivers and appealed to them to support the bandh and the Cauvery agitation. Police subsequently detained the protesters.
However, as a precautionary measure, the police have temporarily stopped around 20 buses going to Tamil Nadu at the Satellite Bus Stand. This action has been taken due to concerns that protesters may disrupt the buses if they operate on Tamil Nadu routes during the bandh.
These buses were scheduled to operate to several places across Tamil Nadu, including Vellore, Tirupattur, Kanchipuram, Tiruttani, Ooty, Thittakudi, Tirukovilur, Chidambaram and Virudhachalam.
