Mahadayi row: Karnataka bandh on July 30; security beefed up across the state

Bengaluru, July 29: After the recent verdict of Mahadayi water dispute tribunal that went against Karnataka, while favouring Goa and Maharashtra, the state is bracing itself for a bandh tomorrow (July 30, Saturday).

"Support is intact to observe state-wide bandh to mark protest against the interim verdict passed by Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal", says Vatal Nagaraj of Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha who is spearheading this agitation in the state capital.

Meanwhile, security too was stepped up across the state, informed Additional General Police (law and order) Alok Mohan to OneIndia. He added "though it is predicted, bandh would be strongly felt in Bengaluru and North Karnataka. Security has been beefed up across the state as a precautionary measure."

Vatal Nagaraj, while speaking to Kannada OneIndia claimed as many as 1,250 pro-Kannada outfits pledged their support to the bandh call. Nagaraj strongly hopes bandh will be successful on Saturday.

He also informed organisations will take out a protest march from Town Hall to Freedom Park.

Another leader from a pro-Kannada organisation said this bandh has a purpose. And it is to demand the political parties of the state, mainly the BJP and the government to meet PM Narendra Modi to seek his intervention to settle water dispute out-of-court.

However, Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban said, "We have not decided yet on declaring holiday to schools and colleges. We will come out with a decision studying the condition in the evening hours." It is likely schools and colleges may get holiday for security reasons.

Sa Ra Govindu, chairman of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce said, "We too support bandh call. Moreover, film industry will remain shut tomorrow in display of solidarity to the bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations."

Govindu added industry too is demanding PM Modi's intervention to resolve the issue.

Security arrangement

Alok Mohan, delineating the security arrangements said, "Security across the state has been beefed up and four platoons from Central paramilitary forces, Border Security Force and Rapid Action Force have arrived to major cities and towns in north Karnataka."

The forces will hold a march across the city on Saturday. Karnataka State Police, from all the divisions will also be deployed. Though the focus of the security will be Bengaluru and north Karnataka, security forces will be deployed in every district.

In view of the protest march, the police will tighten security at Town Hall, Mekhri Circle and Freedom Park.

Deputy Commissioner of Gagad, Prasanna Kumar divulged that across the state, high police vigil will be kept.

OneIndia News