Karnataka Bandh: 10,000 cops will guard Bengaluru city

Bengaluru: The city police have made elaborate security arrangements in and around the city as many pro-Kannada organisations have called for a state wide bandh over Mekedatu issue.

More than 10,000 policemen, including Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), City Armed Reserves (CAR), home guards, civil defence personnel and Rapid Action Force (RAF) will be deployed to prevent any untoward incident. The bandh has been called against Tamil Nadu government’s opposition to the proposed reservoir at Mekedatu.

Addressing reporters, Police Commissioner M.N. Reddi said, there was a high alert across the city to prevent any violence. Around 30 platoons of KSRP, 30 platoons of CAR, two companies of RAF and 500 Karnataka Industrial Security Force (KISF) along with 1,000 home guards and 300 civil defence personnel have been deployed.

“We had a detailed meeting with bandh organisers and told them that the demonstrators should not force people to close down their business establishments, shops or companies. It is left to the choice of citizens either to observe the bandh or not,” he said.

Some organisations have asked for permissions to carry out rallies from Town Hall to Freedom Park and we have granted it. Our policemen will be recording the entire rally and if any one tries to disrupt peace, the police will take stringent action,” the Commissioner said.

Additional Commissioner (L&O) West, Alok Kumar said the police have taken certain trouble mongers and history sheeters into preventive custody as their presence in Friday’s demonstrations could hamper peace and harmony.

Government’s tacit support for karnataka bandh?

Has the state government offered tacit support to pro-Kannada organizations which have called for a 12 hour shut-down on Saturday by withdrawing the services of buses of KSRTC and BMTC?

If the government suspends the services of buses, it would affect normal life across Karnataka because petrol stations too are unlikely to be open to provide fuel for private vehicles tomorrow. Sources in the state government told this newspaper that the state government should not support a bandh, but could always extend a helping hand to pro-Kannada organisations have called for the shut-down to protest against a similar strike in Tamil Nadu earlier this month against construction of Mekedatu dam across the river Cauvery.

Akhila Karnataka Rajkumar Abhimanigala Sangha, Kannada film chamber of commerce and industry, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and many organizations have supported the bandh call. Sources in the transport department said the authorities concerned were ready to take risks by operating busses even after assessing the situation on Saturday morning. The buses, however, could return at night at the end of the 12-hour strike.

On Saturday, leaders of pro- Kannada organisations would address protest rallies in Bengaluru, organise processions from Town Hall to Freedom Park, and submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressing support to the government for construction of the dam.