Bengaluru: Karnataka braced for a complete shutdown on Thursday, called by Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha president Vatal Nagaraj and other Kannada organisations to pressurise the Centre to resolve the Mahadayi River water dispute that could see all educational institutions close and transport authorities pull buses off the streets.
The Karnataka Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools (KAMS) have asked private schools across the state to remain closed that day.
However, CBSE schools are yet to take a decision on closing schools. The Managements of Independent CBSE Schools Association (MICSA) has decided to take a final call on declaring Thursday a holiday to the discretion of individual schools.
There was also no clarity on government schools shutting on Thursday as Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner V. Shankar, who is the authority said he too will take a final decision only after a meeting with senior officials on Wednesday.
Bangalore University postponed all exams scheduled for Thursday. The exams included first year and third year BA/BSc/BCom/BBM (DCC/One time measure), second year MA/MSc/MCom (DCC) and postgraduate DBA/DHRM/DMM/DHA (Regular/DCC).
Police get ready to thwart troublemakers
As the state braces for a bandh on Thursday, called by Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha president Vatal Nagaraj and other Kannada organisations to pressurise the Centre to resolve the Mahadayi River water dispute, the police are gearing up to ensure an eventless protest.
DG&IGP Neelamani N. Raju has issued a notification to the concerned police officials across the state asking them to deploy full force, while City Police Commissioner Suneel Kumar held a meeting with senior police officers on Wednesday to discuss preparations for the bandh.
Though the commissioner did not discuss the number of police personnel to be deployed on the streets on Thursday, a senior police officer said that Kumar was specific about the law and order situation and told his men to act strictly against those who take law into their hands.
"All the DCPs have been told to keep a tight vigil in their jurisdictions. We will be out in full force across the city, though the commissioner is yet to decide on the number of policemen to be deployed," the police said. Mr Kumar has told his men to ensure that no untoward incidents occurred in the city and to monitor sensitive areas closely. "No shops should be shut forcibly by any activists and the public should not encounter any obstruction on roads. Those attempting to trigger violence should be detained immediately," a senior official quoted Mr Kumar as saying.
It is learnt that over 8,000 police personnel from CAR, DAR, KSISF, KSRP and local police would be on duty that day. The bandh is likely to have less impact as a few Kannada outfits have criticised Nagaraj for not consulting them before giving the bandh call.
