• Source:JND
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Karnataka Bandh: Following a dusk-to-dawn bandh in Bengaluru on September 26, another bandh has been called on September 29 by called by Pro-Kannada groups amid an ongoing Cauvery river water dispute with neighbouring state Tamil Nadu. The bandh called under the banner ‘Kannada Okkuta’ — led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj is to protest against the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) recommendation to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

On the 'State-wide' bandh called this Friday, Pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj said that this "Friday's all-Karnataka bandh will be a serious protest." "As many as 2,000 organisations will take part in the protests. All sectors, including the film industry, manufacturing industry, hotels, transport - even airport employees - have pledged their support for Friday's bandh," he said.

Meanwhile, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) on Tuesday, during the partial bandh proposed to release 3,000 cusecs to the neighbouring state till October 15, the touted solution will be challenged by Karnataka CM in Supreme Court. 

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on proposed solution said, "Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) ordered to release 3000 cusecs of water, I have already spoken to our advocates. They have suggested us to challenge this order in the Supreme Court. We'll challenge it in the Supreme Court. We don't have water to release to Tamil Nadu. We are challenging the orders of the CWRC."

Top Developements On Karnataka Bandh Over Cauvery Dispute:

-Former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has said that the order pronounced is a "death sentence" for the state and slammed the Congress government for losing the trust of the people, especially farmers of the state. He said, "Our CM Siddaramaiah and Shivkumar, they must know, that they should not behave like Tamil Nadu agents. They must realise the actual facts. In almost all our reservoirs water is not at all sufficient for even drinking purposes... PM can't interfere in this, the case is in SC. It's not possible for him to interfere..."

-Former CM BS Yediyurappa will stage a sit-in against the Karnataka government (over the Cauvery water-sharing issue) near the Gandhi statue in Bengaluru today. HD Kumaraswamy is going to join the BJP protest there, said JD(S) supremo and former PM HD Deve Gowda. 

-The regular operation of buses between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka resumed on Wednesday after being suspended for a day due to a bandh called by farmers' associations and pro-Kannada organizations.

-Tuesday's 6 am to 6pm bandh in Bengaluru remained largely peaceful, with only a few incidents of protesters causing damage to commercial establishments. The demonstrations were planned at Freedom Park, Raj Bhawan, and Town Hall by pro-Kannada organisations.

-Bengaluru Police detained around 100 protesters who attempted to disrupt traffic and march through the city. There were reports of some miscreants allegedly trying to shut down hotels that were open in the Jayanagara area and trying to damage property. Police registered a case.

-The activists hit out at the government for allegedly using police force to curtail the protests and the bandh.

-Shivakumar asserted that a multi-crore Mekedatu reservoir scheme is the only solution for this dispute. He also expressed satisfaction over the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) rejecting Tamil Nadu's request for 12,000 cusecs and recommending that Karnataka release 3,000 cusecs of water to the neighbouring state till October 15.

-Accusing the two opposition parties of politicising the Cauvery row, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rejected allegations his government has failed on the issue and said his administration has never lagged behind in protecting the interests of the state, its people and farmers.

-Educational institutions in the city were shut down in the capital city. But, cab services, autos, and hotels/restaurants were seen operating, drivers and hotel operators said not many people patronised the services.

-In most private companies and firms, including those in the IT sector employees worked from home. Most malls and cinema theatres remained shut, as were many shops and establishments.

-The bandh in Bengaluru caused inconvenience to air passengers as cab services to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) were limited, leading to missed outbound flights and 13 cancellations of inbound flights.

-'Kannada Okkuta', an umbrella organisation for pro-Kannada organisations led by activist Vatal Nagaraj, which has called for a statewide bandh on September 29, did not support the Bengaluru bandh.