To register their demand that the Karnataka government refrain from releasing Carvery water to Tamil Nadu, various organisations, including farmers and pro-Kannada groups, have called for Bengaluru band from 6am to 6pm on September 26.
Normal life is expected to be disrupted in Bengaluru as driver unions, including those representing app-based auto rickshaws and cabs, have decided to join the band.
Farmers' leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar has appealed to schools, colleges, IT companies, and the film chamber to declare a holiday. He has also demanded that the state government convene a special assembly session. Speaking to reporters at Freedom Park, he said that they will stage a protest march from Town Hall at 11 am to Mysuru Bank Circle on September 26.
Opposition parties, including BJP, JDS, Aam Aadmi Party and others have also extended their support for the band.
Tanveer Pasha, president of Ola Uber Driver's and Owner's Association, confirmed their participation in the Bengaluru band.Airport cabs are also expected to be affected by the band.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will operate Namma Metro services as usual, but state-run Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will take a decision after assessing the law and order situation.
RELATED STORIES
The Biden administration is poised to allow Israeli citizens to travel to the US without a US visa
BCI honours five legal luminaries with lifetime achievement awards
NASA's first asteroid samples land on Earth after release from spacecraft
However, bus services will be affected as the AITUC-backed KSRTC Staff & Workers Federation, a major union, has decided to participate in the Bengaluru bandh. HV Anantha Subba Rao, president of KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation, said they fully support the bandh. "We have instructed all employees in Bengaluru to ensure the success of this bandh by not taking any buses out of BMTC depots."
Many industries, hotels and restaurants, shopping malls, and other small local business establishments are expected to remain closed in solidarity with the bandh. PC Rao, president of Bruhath Bangalore Hotels Association, has expressed moral support for the bandh.
However, essential services, including hospitals, nursing homes, medical shops, government offices will remain open.
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda said all necessary security measures and precautions are being taken. Officers are on high alert for incidents such as stone pelting on any Tamil Nadu-registered buses or private vehicles, especially in border areas.
Meanwhile, Mandya district, the hotbed of the Carvery basin, remained closed on September 23, in response to the bandh call by farmers' outfits against the release of Carvery waters to Tamil Nadu. Similar protests took place in Bengaluru at locations like Freedom Park.
On September 21, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the Carvery Water Management Authority's order to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. The Karnataka government cited rain deficit in the state as the reason for its inability to release Carvery water.
Karnataka cabinet on September 22 decided to release Carvery water to Tamil Nadu as required until September 26 while simultaneously starting the process to go ahead with its Mekedatu project which is opposed by the neighbouring state.
You must be logged in to post a comment.