Today bandh in K'taka to protest Cauvery award

Bangalore, Feb 12: Karnataka will virtually come to a standstill today following a state-wide bandh call in protest against what is termed an 'injustice committed to the state' in the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal pronounced on February five. Section 144 was imposed in the city at midnight.

The bandh, which was originally slated for February eight, was deferred to Feb 12 by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, which had called for the bandh, in view of the Aero India-2007 exposition, which ended today, at the request of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

The City and a huge chunk of area under the Cauvery basin in the state would virtually look a secured fortress as large posse of personnel would be deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. In all 160 platoons, including those of the Rapid Action Force, Central Reserve Police Force and Para-military forces, apart from state police and armed reserve police, would be on guard during the 12 hour bandh beginning at 0600 hrs.

The state had been witnessing sporadic protests in Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar and Bangalore districts following the pronouncement of the award. The road and rail traffic between Mysore and Bangalore had been badly disrupted and the bus service between destinations in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were also severely affected during the post-award period, so far.

The bandh call had received wide support from various sectors, including film and the industry. Educational institutions and banks will remain close today. The functioning of colleges would depend on local situation, the authorities said.

Essential services like milk, hospitals, drug stores and newspaper establishments have been exempted from bandh.

State Director General of Police K R Srinivasan said, ''we have beefed up security throughout the state, more so in Bangalore and the Cauvery basin districts of Mandya, Mysore and Chamarajanagar, Hassan and parts of Tumkur. Security will be tight in important installations, big IT firms and government buildingsÒ'.

Bus and other public transport including autorickshaws would remain off the roads.

As a precautionary measure most of the IT companies, both in Bangalore and Mysore, have declared a holiday today.

The police had rounded up nearly 5000 anti social elements, including 2,000 from the city alone, during the past one week.

Mr Srinivasan said rallies, demonstrations and small gatherings by farmers and activists would be allowed to protest peacefully and submit memorandums to the officials. Local magistrates and forces present in their areas had been authorised to clamp ban orders and take strict action against lawbreakers. Being a sensitive issue what is democratically possible will be allowed.

The Chief of Kaveri Hitarakshana Horata Samithi G Madegowda speaking at Mandya said, ''we have sought support from all quarters to protest against the injustice meted to Karnataka. We are confident of full support and a total bandh today.''

UNI