Karnataka bandh called over Mekadatu project

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The Hindu

Lorry drivers and autorickshaw drivers union have supported the bandh and have decided to pull their vehicles off the road. File photo.

'The intention of bandh is to exhort pressure on the State government to implement the Mekedatu Drinking Water Project'.

Various Kannada organisations that have come together under the banner of ‘Kannada Okkuta’, have called for a state-wide bandh on Saturday to pressurise the State government to take up Mekedatu Drinking Water project, among various other demands.

President of Okkuta, Vatal Nagaraj said that the bandh will be marked by peaceful rallies in various parts of the state. A huge rally will be taken out from Town Hall to Freedom Park and leaders will submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Okkuta is expecting a huge assemblage of over one lakh people said Mr. Nagaraj.

He said that, public services such as milk supply, medical and transportation would not be affected because of the bandh.

Security heightened for bandh

City police have heightened security arrangements in Bengaluru for the bandh. Police Commissioner M.N. Reddi said that no disturbance to law and order will be tolerated and stringent action will be taken against anybody indulging in stoning or forcing anybody to participate in the bandh.

The entire force of the city police would be deputed on the streets for the ‘bandobust’ apart from 30 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 30 companies of City Armed Reserve (CAR). Mr Reddi said that police would fan out all across the city and video record all processions and dharnas. “Anybody indulging in rioting will be dealt with seriously,” he said.

Lorry drivers and auto drivers union have supported the bandh and have decided to pull their vehicles off the road. Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) are yet to take a call on their services.

Support from various Kannada groups

Dr. Rajkumar Fans’ Association, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Kannada Sahitya Parishat were among the few Kannada organisations, that have extended support to the bandh. “The intention of bandh is to exhort pressure on the government to implement the Mekedatu Drinking Water Project, without succumbing to pressure from any corner”, he said.

They are also demanding release of Rs.10,000-crore for completion of works on Upper Krishna Project, release of additional funds for the development of Belagavi and stoppage of work on laying high-tension power line across the Western Ghats through Kodagu.