Bengaluru bandh successful: Protestors

Chandra Pabhu | NT

Bengaluru: “Cauvery Nammadu! Cauvery Nammadu," was the encore from over 700 protestors in Freedom park on Tuesday, in lieu of the Bengaluru bandh called by several pro-Kannada organisations and farmers to protest against the Karnataka government's decision to release Cauvery water to neighbouring state Tamil Nadu.

The bandh, which started at 6am, included a march from the Town Hall to Freedom park conducted by the protesting groups, who came together as the 'Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti.'

Other factions had already star ted protesting, well in advance to the march. These groups, who came from different places of the state, had vigorously expressed their disappointment towards both the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu government, pointing out the alliance both the governments are a part of.

These groups, who shared the common demand of not releasing any more water to Karnataka, came up with different ways to showcase their anger and frustrations.

Kuruburu Shanthakumar, President of the Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association told News Trail, "More than 200 organisations have supported this bandh. The government neglected the farmers when it decided to release the Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu," he said.

Shanthakumar, who got detained for violating Section 144 rules at Mysuru Bank circle while protesting, claimed that hundreds of farmers have committed suicide.

"The government had officially announced that over 190 taluks are drought hit, and monsoon had less rains," while adding how the drinking water requirements in Bengaluru is not being met.

"The city, with a population of 1.3 crore is facing a severe issue with their drinking water requirements," he said.

Members from organisations and political parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Jai Karnataka had arrived and voiced their concerns. Speeches from leaders of different unions were delivered from a Makeshift dais.

Natraj Sharma, acting president of Federation of Private Transport Association, demanded a joint committee between both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu be formed and the water flow be stopped immediately. If the following is not done, Sharma threatens a takeover of checkposts in bordering areas and stopping of the Vehicles entering from Tamil Nadu.

In the midst of raising slogans and delivering speeches, the protest witnessed a man fainting after which he was immediately taken to the hospital in the vicinity, with the help of an ambulance stationed there.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy later arrived at the spot in an attempt to pacify the protestors and assured that he will hold talks with Chief Minister Siddaramiah regarding their demands.

The document which had all the demands, signed by the leaders of the organisation under the umbrella of the 'Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti,' was handed over to Ramalinga Reddy.

Later in the day, Shanthakumar remarked that the bandh was well supported by the people of the city.