Cauvery water dispute…

Normal life, commercial activities unaffected; Pro-Kannada outfits stage protest; detained

Mysuru: Barring symbolic protests by several pro-Kannada activists, the 6 am to 6 pm Karnataka bandh call given today by veteran Kannada activist and former MLA Vatal Nagaraj, in protest against the decision of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu from dams in the Cauvery Basin, was otherwise peaceful, drawing zero response from the public.

Normal life continued as usual, with essential services such as KSRTC buses, both on city and inter-district routes, especially Mysuru-Bengaluru route, operating without any hurdle or disruption. Commercial establishments in Central Business District (CBD) remained open and carried out business as usual.

Schools, colleges, tourist spots

Most importantly, educational institutions, including schools and colleges, functioned without any inconvenience, with the managements assuring the safety of the children. Autorickshaw operators and goods carriers also operated without any hurdles, ensuring smooth transportation services.

Film theatres, including single-screen theatres and multiplexes, exhibited films, with little or no impact on audience numbers. Similarly, all tourist attractions remained open, with tourists exploring them without any hindrance.

Protests, road blocks

Several organisations, including Kannada Sene, Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association, Kabini Raitha Hitarakshana Samiti, a faction of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Karnataka Sene Pade, Cauvery Kriya Samiti and others, staged symbolic protests at places.

Farmers who assembled in front of the Command Area Development Authority (CADA) office opposite Mysore Palace held empty water pots and slept in the middle of the road, raising slogans against the CWMA and warning the Government not to release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu at any cost.

A section of Kannada activists, led by Nanjangud Shivashankar, staged a ‘broomstick protest’ along with defaced portraits of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, former Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin and other leaders.

High drama was witnessed at the exit gate of the KSRTC Sub-urban Bus Stand on Mother Teresa Road, where activists of Karnataka Sena Pade, Mysuru district unit, led by their President Tejesh Lokesh Gowda, warned that they would stop buses plying towards Bengaluru. Even as they raised slogans, Police took them into custody and bundled them into a Police van before driving them away. They were released later.

As a precautionary measure, Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) vans had been stationed at both the entry and exit gates of the Sub-urban Bus Stand.

Members of the Cauvery Kriya Samiti staged a sit-in demonstration at the Rangacharlu Memorial Town Hall premises, followed by a protest on Ashoka Road under the leadership of Samiti President S. Jayaprakash (JP).

Similarly, Kannadambe Rakshana Vedike staged a protest near Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple at the North Gate of Mysore Palace.

Police prior warning

City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar had issued a press note yesterday, warning of action against those indulging in activities disturbing law and order in the name of staging protests as part of the bandh call.

While no permission had been given by the Police to stage protests, no shops, schools, educational institutions or offices should be forcibly shut. No rasta roko should be conducted by disrupting public movement or by setting ablaze tyres and effigies.

Stringent laws will be invoked against those who damage private and public property or indulge in criminal activities, the City Police had further warned.