Bengaluru Bandh: The police in Bengaluru have arrested over 1,000 people following a Bandh initiated by the ‘Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti,’ a collective comprising farmers’ associations and various organizations. Their protest was in opposition to the allocation of Cauvery water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu.
Addressing the media regarding the law enforcement efforts, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda stated, “Approximately 1000 people have been detained by the police across various police stations of the city.” He further mentioned that the precise figure will be disclosed to the media later in the evening.
Long-standing Cauvery issue
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have long been embroiled in a dispute over sharing the Cauvery river’s water. The latest escalation stems from the Supreme Court’s dismissal of Karnataka’s plea against the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s order, which mandated the release of 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for a 15-day period beginning September 13. The Karnataka government has consistently asserted that it cannot release the water due to its own requirements for drinking water and irrigation purposes.
Effects of Bengaluru Bandh
Bengaluru Police implemented Section 144 of the CrPC, effective from midnight on Monday until midnight on Tuesday, in response to the bandh. No permissions were granted for processions within the city on this day.
The Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban District, Dayananda K A, declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city on Tuesday due to the bandh. Many private educational institutions had already declared a holiday for students on Monday.
Bengaluru’s metro services are expected to operate normally and remain unaffected by the bandh call. The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) officials stated that city bus services would not be significantly disrupted. Additionally, entry of Tamil Nadu buses into Karnataka is halted at the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.
Political parties on Bengaluru Bandh
The BJP, the main opposition party in Karnataka, has expressed its backing for Tuesday’s bandh. The JD(S) has also pledged its support for the Bengaluru bandh, with party leader HD Kumaraswamy confirming their endorsement of the call for the strike.
Meanwhile, the Congress government in Karnataka has opted not to suppress the protests. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that his administration would not interfere with the demonstrations and emphasized the significance of preserving peace during the bandh.
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