Bengaluru Bandh: K'taka to Release 3,000 Cusecs of Water to TN; Another Protest on Sep 29 | Key Points

Bengaluru observed a 12-hour-long Bandh on Tuesday amid ongoing protests across Karnataka against releasing Cauvery River water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. The protests were called under the banner ‘Kannada Okkuta’ — led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, days after the ‘Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti.’

The bandh was called to protest against the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) recommendation to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

1. City-wide protests were planned at Freedom Park, Raj Bhawan, and Town Hall by pro-Kannada organisations, but the police had warned that it would only be allowed in Freedom Park.
2. The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) recommended Karnataka to release 3000 cusecs at Biligundlu starting from September 28 up to October 15.
3. More than 200 protesters, including Shanthakumar and other leaders of the Samiti, were detained by the police at the Mysuru Bank circle, as they were trying to lead a protest march towards Town Hall.
4. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy met protesters at Freedom Park and received a memorandum which includes demands that water is not released from Cauvery to TN, an EC-like body to assess things during distress years, the Mekedatu project be implemented, and cases against farmers and pro-Kannada activists be withdrawn.
5. Police Commissioner B Dayananda said that prohibitory orders under section 144 will be in place across the city till midnight.
6. The security remained tight across the city to respond to any violence that might happen amidst the protests. As many as 100 platoons were deployed.
7. All schools and colleges in the city remained shut on Tuesday, though cab services, autos, and hotels/restaurants were seen operating, drivers and hotel operators said that not many people patronised the services.
8. Most private companies and firms, including those in the IT sector, asked their employees to work from home. Most malls and cinema theatres remained shut.
9. A political row erupted after a dead rat was found in the water supplied by a private hotel for police personnel on duty.
10. Another bandh will be observed on September 29 under the banner of Kannada Okkuta led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj.