Bengaluru Bandh Over Cauvery Row: Heavy Police Force Deployed On The Streets
Heavy Police force has been deployed on the roads of Bengaluru as the city embraces two-day bandh, starting from Tuesday (September 26), called by pro-Kannada activists to protest against the Karnataka government’s decision to release the water of Cauvery river into Tamil Nadu following the Supreme Court’s order.
The Karnataka Police have not only deployed over 100 platoons of reserve forces including Karnataka State Police Force (KSRP), and City Armed Reserve (CAR), but have also clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in the city for 24 hours starting Monday midnight. The Police suggests that the deployment has been ordered in order to maintain the law and situation of the city amid bandh and prevent any untoward incident.
#WATCH | As a Bandh has been called by various organizations in Bengaluru, DCP central Bengaluru Shekar T Tekkannavar says, "…We have made adequate bandobast…as per the order of the commissioner, no protest or procession is allowed…traffic is normal" pic.twitter.com/LPE3Mbyz7v
— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2023
“We have made adequate bandobast…as per the order of the commissioner, no protest or procession is allowed…traffic is normal” said DCP central Bengaluru Shekar T Tekkannavar. Further, all routes of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) are operational, however, the footfall remains low. All shops have been closed except those providing essential services. The bandh call was initially given by Karnataka Water Conservation Committee president Kurubur Shanthakumar, which has later gained support from different sections including drivers’ unions, restaurant associations along with Opposition parties in the state including Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (Secular) among others. The heavy police deployment comes in light of the riots that broke out down south during a similar protest over Cauvery water in 2016.
Complete shutdown in Bengaluru
As the bandh was called tor protest against the order of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directing the state to release 5000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, for 15 days, effective from September 13, several organisations have extended support. Bengaluru Urban District Collector KA Dayanand has declared a public holiday for all schools and colleges in the city in view of the Bandh. In a show of solidarity with the bandh, numerous industries, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and other small local businesses are expected to remain closed.
