A 12-hour-bandh has been called by pro-Kannada organisations over Mahadayi water row (PTI photo)
Highlights
- A 12-hour-bandh called by pro-Kannada groups over Mahadayi water row
- Transport services have been hit; schools, shops shut
- The Kannada film industry has also extended its support for the bandh
A 12-hour-bandh called by pro-Kannada and farmers' organisations over Mahadayi water dispute has hit the normal life in state today with transport services coming to halt; theaters, hotels, malls and schools shut in favour of the protest.
The bandh has been called against the interim order of the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal rejecting Karnataka's plea for 7.56 thousand million cubic feet of water for a drinking water project to serve the state's parched northern regions.
The Mahadayi water-sharing dispute has the states of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka vying for water from the Mahadayi river.
Transport services have been hit with several transport workers unions, autorickshaws and cab unions extending support to the call. While film theatres, hotels, restaurants and malls, have been shut in support of the bandh, some schools and colleges have declared holiday today.
Tension gripped Yamanur village in Hubballi-Dharwad district as police made a lathicharge to disperse protesting farmers.
Police said to prevent untoward incidents, four companies each of Border Security Force (BSF), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and an adequate number of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) personnel have been deployed in the 'Mumbai-Karnataka' region.
In Bengaluru, protesters are assembling at Town Hall to launch a massive protest march from Town Hall Circle to Freedom Park via Hudson Circle, KG Road and Palace Road.
The Kannada film industry has also extended its support for the bandh.
"I appeal to all film producers, artistes, directors, distributors, exhibitors, technicians and other film staff to participate in it. The Kannada film industry has been at the forefront of several agitations and will do it even now," Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) President Sa Ra Govindu told reporters.
Mr Govindu urged PM Narendra Modi to intervene and work for an out-of-court settlement by convening a meeting between chief ministers of the states at loggerheads.
The tribunal, which gave its interim order on Wednesday after hearing arguments from both Karnataka and Goa, had rejected the state's plea citing various grounds including ecological damage that the project may cause.
The Kalasa-Banduri Nala (diversion) project, which will utilise 7.56 tmcft of water from the inter-state Mahadayi River, is being undertaken by Karnataka to improve drinking water supply to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the districts of Belagavi and Gadag.