Karnataka bandh updates: What is open, what is closed?

Pro-Kannada and farmers' organisations are protesting in some parts of Karnataka as part of the bandh call to to protest against the release of Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Mallikarjun Baladandi, Additional SP of Bengaluru Rural district said that more than 50 people from the organisations have been taken into custody. Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda on Thursday said that the Freedom Park is the sanctioned location for protests and rallies in the city. He warned that if any damage to the property occurs, the respective protesting organization will be held accountable for the costs.

An official of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation told news agency ANI that buses are operational but "people are not coming" due to the bandh call. The state transport minister Ramalinga Reddy said that the government will ensure the service of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses on Friday. "Those who are doing bandh should do it peacefully. the transport buses will ply despite the bandh tomorrow and there is no need for passengers to worry," the minister said.

Similarly, less number of passengers were seen in Bengaluru metro trains because of the Bandh called by various organizations regarding the Cauvery water issue.


44 flights including 22 arrivals and 22 departures have been cancelled today at the Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport, a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, in view of the bandh, the district administrations in Bengaluru and Mandya announced a holiday for educational institutions today in their respective jurisdiction. In Mandya, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have been imposed as well. An official of Karnataka State Private Schools' Association told PTI that they were extending 'moral support' to the bandh. "We have told our association members to use their discretion regarding the bandh," the office-bearer said.

Besides opposition parties BJP and JD(S), hotels, autorickshaws and hail riders associations have also extended support to the bandh in Karnataka. "Autorickshaw Drivers' Union and Ola Uber Drivers and Owners' Association (OUDOA) are supporting the bandh. We will take out a rally from Nayandahalli to the Freedom Park," its president Tanveer Pasha told PTI.

The Bruhath Bangaluru Hotel Association has extended its 'moral support' to the strike. (With Agency Updates)