Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Bengaluru Police warns of legal action on use of force, threats, damage to property

Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Farmers and various Kannada organisations have called for Karnataka Bandh today to protest against the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order. Demanding withdrawal of the CWMA order which directed the state to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12, pro-Kannada outfits and activists launched a 12-hour statewide agitation which commenced at 6:00 AM and will go on till 6:00 PM.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru City Police clarified that schools and colleges, offices, shops and commercial establishments, public transport and other normal activities are expected to function as usual. This bandh call comes at a time the 10-day monsoon session of the Karnataka legislature is slated to begin, with newly appointed Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, is expected to be stormy

Warning that no individual or organisation should force, threaten or compel anyone to participate in the bandh, close shops, establishments or institutions, obstruct vehicular movement, or participate in protests against their will, Bengaluru City Police said, “All organisations and members of the public are requested to cooperate with the Bengaluru City Police in maintaining peace, public order and normalcy in the city.”

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) employees' association have distanced themselves from the bandh, as per PTI report.

Even private bus associations, transporters and autorickshaw associations, have not provided support to the bandh.

Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Wednesday asserted that Congress-led government would ensure that no injustice was done to the state ahead of Supreme Court hearing on 13 August.

"I have held discussions with the Chief Minister (D K Shivakumar) and officials. The CM spoke to our Advocate General and advocates in Delhi. Tamil Nadu's petition is coming up before the Supreme Court tomorrow; it has been listed. We will have an opportunity there, and our advocates will file our objections. Let's see what the Supreme Court says. Thereafter, we will have further options," PTI quoted him as saying.

The State Water Resources Minister added, ""Tamil Nadu has filed a petition, and we have been served a notice. We will have an opportunity to present our case there. Based on the outcome, we will decide whether further legal action is required. This is based on the suggestions given by the advocates."

Fareha Naaz is a Delhi-based journalist and Content Producer at LiveMint, where she has built nearly three years of experience in digital journalism. She covers a diverse range of topics, including national news, education, entertainment, lifestyle trends science, global health and international news.

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