Karnataka Bandh: Sec 144 Imposed In Bengaluru: What's Open, Closed On Sep 29?

The Bengaluru City Police has announced the imposition of section 144 in the capital city of Karnataka from Thursday midnight to Friday midnight.

"No organization has approached the police department and has not obtained permission for the bandh," Bengaluru city police commissioner B Dayananda said in a press meet on Thursday. He has given a stern warning against those taking the law into their own hands during Friday's bandh.

"As per the Supreme Court judgment and Karnataka High Court pronouncement, no protest, procession or rally can be taken in the city of Bengaluru. We are enforcing it very strictly. We have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 CRPC from the midnight of September 28 to midnight of September 29.

During this 144 period, no gathering of five persons will be allowed, However, whoever wants to protest, they can do it at Freedom Park," he stated.

Kannada Okkuta', an umbrella organisation for Kannada organisations, on Wednesday claimed that the dawn to dusk bandh called by them on September 29, to protest against release of Cauvery river water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

As part of the bandh from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday, there will be a massive protest procession from Town Hall to Freedom park in the city, in which people from all walks of life are likely to participate, the organisers said.

They have said that the bandh is for the entire Karnataka and that they will try to shut down highways, toll gates, rail services, and airports.

What's Open, Closed?

It has been learned that BMTC and KSRTC buses will ply like usual on Friday as the authorities have given instructions to the transport employees that they must compulsorily report to work.

The transport corporations have given verbal instructions to their staff that all employees, except those on weekly leave and long-term leave, must compulsorily report for duty.

Also, the employees have been ordered not to take part in the bandh and strict action will be taken against those who fail to follow the instructions.

The BMTC has requested the police department to provide security to all its depots and deploy forces at bus stops. In the Dakshina Kannada district, bus unions have not extended support to the bandh.

Will Schools and Colleges will remain open?

Many schools have announced a holiday in view of bandh and most educational institutions are expected to remain closed on Friday.

Will Namma Metro Service Be Available?

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced the suspension of metro services between Mysore Road and Kengeri stations on Friday due to planned inspection work. The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) will be performing the 'Statutory Safety Inspection' for the recently constructed extension from Kengeri to Challaghatta, an integral part of Namma Metro's Purple Line.

The metro services on Mysuru Road and Baiyappahalli route will be available as usual. There will be no change in the Green Route train services, the BMRCL has said.

No Hotels, Street Food

Street vendors have fully supported the bandh. There will be a complete shutdown of street vendors and local market street vendors across the state from 6 am to 6 pm, Karnataka Street Vendor Association State President Rangaswami said.

The Bengaluru Hotels Association has extended support to the bandh. Hence, restaurants are unlikely to open from dawn to dusk.

Likewise, the Autorickshaw Drivers Union and Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association (OUDOA) are supporting the band. Hence, the cab service is expected to be affected.

Meanwhile, the Kempe Gowda International Airport has asked the passengers to plan their travel to and from the airport as it anticipates disruption in the transport service.

"Passengers are requested to follow alerts from respective airlines, law enforcement agencies, and media releases for further updates," it said in a statement.

Also, essential services like hotels, ambulances, and milk booths will function as usual.