Karnataka Bandh: 44 Flights Cancelled, Mandya Full Shutdown

The dawn-to-dusk bandh in Karnataka over the Cauvery issue has met with a good response while disrupting normal life in Bengaluru and in the Old Mysuru region.

The schools, colleges, and educational institutions have remained closed today. Authorities have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code in Bengaluru, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara, and Hassan districts.

The bandh call has been given by Kannada Okkuta', an umbrella organisation for Kannada organisations, to protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Most of the shops, business establishments, and eateries in Cauvery basin districts such as Mandya in southern part of Karnataka downed their shutters today.

Private vehicles were off the roads in those areas. The state-owned transport corporations operated very few buses in the southern districts fearing a backlash. However, the bandh evoked a mixed response in other regions of the State.

Protestors set fire to a portrait of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin in the district headquarters town of Chitradurga.

Meanwhile, 44 flights including 22 arrivals and 22 departures have been cancelled today, the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru said.

Theatres across the State have cancelled shows till evening, with the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association backing the bandh. The Kannada film industry has extended its support to the bandh.

Key market areas in Bengaluru such as Chikpet, Balepet and adjoining business areas wore a deserted look.

The Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union and Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Associations have extended their support to the bandh.

Also, the Bangalore Hotel Association has extended the support for the bandh and the street vendors association has also backed the complete-shutdown call in the state given by the pro-Kannada outfits.

However, IT companies have allowed their employees to work from home today.

Meanwhile, a crucial Cauvery Water Management Authority meeting is scheduled to take place in Delhi today. Days ago, it had directed Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.