- By Ashita Singh
- Tue, 26 Sep 2023 07:03 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bengaluru Bandh: All the schools, colleges and educational institutes in Bengaluru will remain closed on Tuesday, September 26 due to Bengaluru Bandh. Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Dayananda K.A. in a statement on Monday said, "All schools and colleges will be closed in Bengaluru on Tuesday following a "Bengaluru Bandh" call given by various organisations."
Various organisations, including farmers and pro-Kannada groups and politicians, have called for Bengaluru bandh from 6 am to 6 pm on September 26 following their protest against the contentious release of the Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu from Karnataka.
Due to the bandh in the city, schools, colleges, government offices, banks, ATMs, public and private transport, shops, commercial establishments, and restaurants and hotels have been closed. However, essential services such as hospitals, nursing homes, medical shops, emergency services, petrol pumps, water supply, electricity, and sanitation services will remain open.
Security Tightened, Section 144 Imposed In City
Bengaluru police today said that no permission for any bandh, protest, or demonstration has been given and the entire Bengaluru is under Section 144 prohibiting the assembly of more than five people.
In the view of bandh tomorrow, Karnataka Police clamped curfew in Bengaluru city from Monday night to Tuesday night. Bengaluru City Police tweeted, "Today addressing press, Bengaluru Police Commissioner has reiterated that no bundh/protests/processions are allowed as per Supreme Court/High Court instructions. Section 144 enforced citywide - gatherings of more than 5 people are not permitted. Dial 112 for any help. Additional police will be deployed for maintaining law and order."
Protests have been planned at Freedom Park, Raj Bhawan, TownHall by pro Kannada organisations. However, the Police Commissioner alerted that protests would only be allowed in Freedom Park.
"The protestors have sought permission for a protest march from the Town Hall to Freedom Park. The High Court had warned them that the organisers would be held responsible if anything goes wrong," Dayanand added. He further clarified that there was no room for a forceful bandh on Tuesday in the IT city.
He explained that the department was deputing 100 platoons of Special Forces in the city, 60 platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 40 platoons of the City Armed Reserve (CAR) will be deputed.
Cabs will be plying as usual in the city. Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association president Tanveer Pasha said that Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Ola and Uber services will be as usual. However, restaurants will remain closed in the city.
Meanwhile, airline Vistara came up with a travel update asking its travellers to plan their rides to and from the airport with caution since private transport might be disrupted. "Due to the 'Bengaluru Bandh' on September 26, 2023, private transport might be disrupted. Customers travelling from Bangalore are advised to allow more time for their journey to the airport," the airline said in a post on 'X'.
Google, Walmart Employees To WFH On September 26
The dispute between two south Indian states over Cauvery water has forced global firms including Walmart and Alphabet's Google to ask employees in Bengaluru to work from home on Tuesday. Reportedly, in internal emails, companies such as Google, Walmart, IBM and Accenture have advised employees to work from home and avoid any non-essential commuting during Tuesday's strike.