BENGALURU: The state-wide bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations, demanding the implementation of Mahadayi project and permanent solution for water problems in North Karnataka, is unlikely to have any major impact on Bengaluru.
Transport services will not be affected as BMTC and KSRTC buses will run as scheduled in the city on Monday. According to senior officials of BMTC, a call on whether to suspend bus services will be taken based on the developments on Monday. Kannada organisations led by activist Vatal Nagaraj have threatened to pelt stones at buses, if they do not extend support. Auto and cab services will also be available.
Exams postponed
Owing to the protest, some exams of Bangalore University for post-graduate students were postponed. VTU has also done the same due to the proposed bandh. The new dates for the exams are yet to be announced. Exams conducted by Karnataka State Secondary Education Examinations Board for D Ed/D.EI and others have been postponed to June 13.
Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban district, V Shankar said that no holidays have been declared for schools and colleges.
Normal life may be affected in Hubballi-Dharwad
The bandh call is expected to affect normal life in North Karnataka on Monday, as various organisations have expressed support. Hubballi-Dharwad region is likely to remain shut. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation has said that they would take a decision on running service on Monday depending on the situation. Even private bus operators’ decision will be influenced by the prevailing situation. Various farmers organisations and labour unions have extended their support to the bandh.
Bandh call unlikely to hit DK district
Mangaluru: Despite Karnataka Rakshana Vedike’s (KRV) Karnataka Bandh call on Monday is unlikely to have any impact in Dakshina Kannada district. Tulunadu Rakshana Vedike had informed that it would not extend support to the bandh call as its first priority is towards Tulu language. Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada District Deputy Commissioner K G Jagadeesha informed that schools and colleges will remain open on Monday. Bus and autorickshaw unions have not announced support to the bandh call. Karnataka Karmikara Vedike’s Udupi district unit will also not extend its support for the call for Karnataka Bandh.
Elaborate security arrangements in place across Bengaluru
In view of Karnataka Bandh, the Bengaluru City police have made elaborate security arrangements across the city. Since vice president Hamid Ansari and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will also be in the city today, security across the city has been tightened. Around 16,00 policemen, including city police personnel, have been deployed. Special security has been arranged at the Airport and railway stations, and other sensitive areas. City Police Commissioner Praveen Sood said that a foolproof security arrangement has been made to ensure that no untoward incidents take place. “More than 200 Hoysala vehicle staff will be patrolling. Apart from this, one water jet, one Quick Response Team platoons are deployed,” a senior police officer said. “Activists of some groups have been taken into preventive custody,” a senior police officer said.