44 Flights Hit, Schools Shut In Karnataka Over Cauvery Row Protests: 10 Points

44 flights scheduled to take off and land at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru early on Friday have been cancelled -- 22 of these were incoming and 22 outgoing. Airport authorities have said it was due to operational reasons, and passengers were intimated within time. However, sources said cancellations happened due to the Karnataka Bandh as many passengers had cancelled their tickets.

In Chikkamangalur, protesters entered petrol bunks in bikes and protested, they also burnt the effigy of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. In Bengaluru, protesters were detained and brought to Freedom Park. In Mandya, protesters rolled on roads in protest.

'Kannada Okkuta' - a blanket organisation of pro-Kannada groups on Friday announced a Karnataka bandh opposing an order directing the Karnataka government to release Cauvery river water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. This comes two days after observing the Bengaluru bandh which received mixed responses.

The bandh will be in effect from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday. Bengaluru city police have issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, not allowing people to hold rallies, protests, or congregations of more than five people. But Pro-Kannada organisations are likely to hit the streets.

More than 1,900 associations are supporting the bandh. Grocery shops and other non-essential shops in the state, including Bengaluru, are expected to remain closed but essential services like hospitals, ambulances, and pharmacies will be operational.

KSRTC and BMTC buses will be operational based on the situation across the state. Speaking about inter-state operations, an official said that the buses heading towards Tamil Nadu may not be operational tomorrow but it will be subject to change based on the situation. Traffic on major roads of Bengaluru, especially in the central business district and at entry and exit points, is likely to take a hit.

Cab aggregators including Ola and Uber have extended support to the bandh and are expected to participate in the rally. They have planned to reach the town hall from Nayandahalli. Auto-rickshaws will be off the roads. The Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association representing 32 private transport unions decided to provide moral support to the Karnataka bandh.

Karnataka Hotel Owners Association on Thursday decided to shut its operations across the state.

Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association on Thursday in a statement said that it will not screen any movies on Friday till 6 pm across the state.

Namma Metro in Bengaluru will operate as usual and the authorities have tightened security at the entrances. Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner Dayananda KA announced a holiday for all schools and colleges in Bengaluru, in view of the Karnataka Bandh.