Stray incidents mark 12 hour Karnataka bandh

Bangalore, Feb 12: Baring stray incidents of stone pelting and arson, the 12-hour bandh in protest against the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal was peaceful throughout Karnataka.

In Cauvery basin districts of Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Mandya, incidents of torching petrol bunks, setting fire two-wheelers and road and train blockages were reported.

A large number of demonstrations and protest rallies were held in almost all Districts by pro-Kannada organisations in all most parts of the State.

Agitators also resorted to Rail Roko in Bellary, Bijapur, Gadag, Mysore, Mandya Districts. However, the rail services was not withdrawn in any part of the state.

In State Capital, roads wore a deserted look as buses, autorickshws were off the road. Business establishments remained closed.. Most of the IT companies declared holiday.

Flight service was partially affected as about nine flights both incoming and outgoing were suspend while the remaining flight numbering over 200 were being operated.

The State government has declared holiday to all educational institutions including Schools and Colleges as precautionary measure.

About 200 agitators, including Vattal Paksha Legislator Vattal Nagraj, Dr Rajkumar Abhimanigala Sangha President Sa Ra Govindu, Kannada Academy Chairman Chandrasekhar Patil were taken into custody when they picketed in front of Raj Bhavan.

In Maddur, tension prevailed for some time, as some miscreants had torched VHP flag during Samajotsava in the town yesterday.

However, police brought the situation under control after lathicharge. Prohibitory orders under section 144 clamped as precautionary measure.

In Davanagere, police resorted to lathi charge to disperse Rakshana Vedike activists which tried to attack BSNL office. The office was later closed and the District observed total bandh.

In Mysore normal life was affected as the City observed total bandh.

Additional Director General of Police Shankar Bidri, who is camping in Mysore, said that no untoward incident reported from any part of the Cauvery basin districts. Heavy bandobust has been maintained. Former Minister and Karnataka Rakshana Vedike members picketed in front of Railway Station.

In undivided Dakshina Kannada district the bandh evoked partial response with Kundapur observing total bandh, while in Udupi and Mangalore the response was partial.

In Bellary District, the bandh was total and agitators resorted to 'Rail Roko' in Hospet by stopping Hampi express train for some time.

In Bidar the bandh evoked mixed response.

In Gulbarga and Raichur the bandh was total and peaceful.

However, government offices and Banks functioned normally.

In Hubli, Belgaum and Koppal Districts the bandh were total and in Hubli City about 100 Hindu Sena and Rakshana Vedike were taken into custody when they tried to resort to 'Rail Roko'.

More than 500 agitators were taken into custody in the State.

UNI