Karnataka Bandh Over Mahadayi River Row

Bengaluru: Normal life is likely to be hit in Karnataka today following the state-wide bandh called by several pro-Kannada outfits demanding the Prime Minister's intervention in the inter-state Mahadayi river water dispute with Goa. The dawn-to-dusk bandh is expected to be in total in the northern districts that come under Malaprabha river basin.

In other parts, normal life may be disrupted as certain public services are expected to decide on their operations, depending on the situation While most private school managements have decided to remain shut, for government schools district administrations have been authorized to take a decision, depending on the situation. Several examinations have also been rescheduled. The film industry and multiplexes are likely to stop operations tomorrow. Petrol bunks, banks and agriculture Produce Marketing Committees are expected to function as usual.

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State transport buses are likely to ply. However authorities say the services will depend on the situation. Autorickshaws and taxis are also likely to follow the norm. Hospitals and clinics are expected to function normally, with Indian Medical Association office bearers stating that they will be extending moral support by wearing a black band. Though differences have cropped up among Kannada outfits regarding the bandh call, Vatal Nagaraj, who heads 'Kannada Okoota', an umbrella organisation of Kannada bodies, has claimed that the shutdown will be "total".

Police said elaborate security arrangements have been made across the state to ensure that no untoward incident occurs. Opposition BJP has termed the bandh as "politically  motivated" and accused government's role in selection of dates when BJP national President Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are visiting the poll bound state to take part in 'Nav Karnataka Parivartan Yatra' of the state unit. Pro-Kannada outfits have called for a Karnataka bandh  tomorrow when Shah will address a rally in Mysuru and a Bengaluru bandh on February 4, the day Modi arrives in the city to address a public meeting.

In a tit-for-tat move to the bandh during visits of Shah and Modi, the party's state unit today decided to observe district specific shutdown during Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's state tour. Gandhi will kick start his campaign for the upcoming assembly polls on February 10. "We have decided that when Rahul Gandhi comes to Karnataka, we will call for a complete bandh in those districts he will be visiting,"BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa said in Madikeri.

Karnataka,which has locked horns with neighboring Goa on sharing Mahadayi River water, is seeking release of 7.56 tmcft water for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project. The project is being undertaken to improve drinking  water supply to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and  districts of Belagavi and Gadag. Attempts made by Karnataka to amicably solve the issue pending before the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal through discussion have failed to bear fruit. Repeated efforts by the state seeking the Prime Minister's  intervention to solve the issue has also not been successful.

PTI