Mahadayi verdict: Bandh successful in Bengaluru and North Karnataka

Bengaluru, July 30: There was a mixed response to the bandh (strike) call given by pro-Kannada activists and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to protest the interim verdict of the Mayadeyi Water Dispute Tribunal.

While the bandh was total in Bengaluru and some parts of North Karnataka, other parts witnessed a lukewarm response. In Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, protestors took out a march and also forced shops to shut down.

Autos and taxis stayed off the roads. However private vehicles were seen plying on the roads. Schools and colleges remained shut. In Bengaluru Kannada activists and the film fraternity in a show of solidarity took out a protest march from Town Hall to Freedom Park.

Earlier this morning members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike were detained while attempting to enter into the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. Those who attempted to ransack the metro station at MG Road and Mysuru Road junction too were detained by the police.

At Gadag in North Karnataka where the bandh was total several persons were detained, The Deputy Commissioner of Gadag, Prasanna Kumar informed OneIndia that several persons were detained after they had pelted stones. In Naragund, the farmers took to the streets to protest against the verdict. However protests in the region were peaceful.

In Hubli-Dharwad too there were protests. But the bandh was partial, except in Navalagund. DCP (law and order), Dharawad said " as a precautionary measure, we had detained many people on Friday, July 29 itself.

In other parts of North Karnataka, namely Belagavi, Kalburgi, Bidar and others there were protests but shops were open. The buses though less in number operated. Large parts of Southern Karnataka remained normal barring a few stray protests.

OneIndia News