4.30 p.m. (TUMAKURU) Bundh called by pro-Kannada organisations was not observed in Pavagada taluk in Tumakuru district on Saturday. Pavagada taluk president of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Mahesh.S., said that “we have not participated in the agitation to support the construction of dam at Mekedatu.”
4.15 p.m. (BELAGAVI) The “12-hour Karnataka Bandh” call given by Kannada Okkoota to protest against the Tamil Nadu governments’ opposition to State’s Mekedatu project, evoked lukewarm response in Belagavi city and district on Saturday.
4.00 p.m. (TUMAKURU) A total bandh was observed in Tumakuru city and protest marches were carried out by several organisations on Saturday. Shops, hotels, cinema theatres and other commercial establishments have been closed.
3.30 p.m. (KOLAR AND CHICKBALLAPUR) Kolar and Chickballapur districts shut down completely and their roads and trading centres looked deserted during the bandh. There was no trading at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee. Transportation of vegetables to Bengaluru and other places was affected. Offices, banks, businesses, schools and colleges remained closed. Read more >here .
2.55 p.m.
>@BloreConnect>@TheHindu .y do thy bandh only 4 south KA Issues.did thy evr bandh 4 issues of NK&HK regions?I m against >#KarnatakaBandh .
— Nagaraj pujar (@NTPrcr) >April 18, 20152.30 p.m. No Airport buses operating. KSRTC bus stand wears a deserted look. Prepaid taxi stand at city railway station closed.
2.15 p.m. Those travelling to railway stations are going for cabs, but there are not enough cabs as drivers do not want to risk damage to vehicles. There is also the fear of running out of petrol, as bunks are closed. EasyCabs did only seven trips since midnight as they don't have drivers. GPS shows no easy cab near station. OlaCabs not working, and autorickshaws overcharging. Residents are taking trains to places like Tiruvannamalai and Anantapur as there are no buses.
1.52 p.m. Procession reaches Freedom Park. Protesters raise anti-Tamil Nadu slogans.
1.31 p.m. A reader says the bandh reminds him of the good old days when the city's roads were peaceful.
>@BloreConnect>@TheHindu Bandh bring back memories of the early 80s when moving on empty bengaluru roads was absolute joy. Alas enjoy the day
— Chetan (@chetdb) >April 18, 20151.25 p.m. (MYSURU) Normal life in Mysuru and surrounding regions of the Cauvery basin of the State was affected on Saturday as the bandh call given by pro-Kannada organisations in support of the Mekedatu project, was total. The bandh was supported by farmers, the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, students and other organisations. Commercial establishments in the heart of the city including K.R.Circle, Devaraja Urs Road, and Dhanavantri Road remained shut since morning. Read more >here .
1.15 p.m. KG Road blocked due to procession. Over 350 civil defence personnel posted in the city. 35 of them aided security when 1,500 people gathered at Town Hall. Procession now near Cauvery Bhavan
1.00 p.m. Police presence at most markets. Few road side fruit sellers still out. City civil court functioning. No traffic at all on Nrupatunga Road, K.G. Road, Mysore Road, Hudson Circle. Even traffic lights have been switched off.
12.50 p.m. A look at why the Karnataka bandh may end up being ignored in north Karnataka districts >http://thne.ws/1b6GlrP
12.43 p.m. A reader wonders if the bandh is an excuse to help census enumerators:
>@the_hindu>@BloreConnect Is it prearranged to execute >#castecensus by holding people at home?
— Ankur Gupta (@agoshme) >April 18, 2015>@BloreConnect :Protst s gud thng in demcrcy 2 gt our thngs ryt bt basic necessities sud nt be taken off like food,medicines >#KarnatakaBandh
— prashant (@prashant6252) >April 18, 2015>@BloreConnect>#KarnatakaBandh No meaning for this bundh, Financial loss to govt n private traders.....
— Versatile (@VidyaranyaKs) >April 18, 201512.31 p.m. ( BIDAR) Karnataka bandh called by several pro-Kannada organisations on Saturday received a lukewarm response in Bidar. Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Jai Karnataka, Kannadigara Balaga and other organisations took out a rally condemning Tamil Nadu for opposing the Mekedatu project.
12.25 p.m. Patient inflow in government hospitals less than 60 per cent. Although functioning is as usual, but doctors say most patients with scheduled appointments did not turn up.
12.15 p.m.(DAKSHINA KANNADA, UDUPI) There was no bandh in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi on Saturday and life was normal in the two districts. In a statement posted on a social networking mobile app, president of Dakshina Kannada unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Annayya Kulal alleged that activists from Southern region had not come to their support during their agitation against the project to divert River Netravathi, and hence they would not do so with respect to the Mekedatu issue. "We have made this clear to our leaders. We will any how lend our moral support," he said.
11:57 Malleswaram remains closed except for pharmaceutical shops. Traffic lights too not working.
11:51 Theatres were also closed today. Photo of the locked Uma Talkies at Chamarjpet.
11.45 No BMTC buses on the roads but plenty of private vehicles in Padmanabhanagar, BSK 3rd stage, and 2nd stage. Group of 10-15 persons seen forcing down shutters of shop in TR Nagar main market.
11:42 Protesters gather at Town Hall. Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy
11:30 Usually busy roads are now empty because of bandh. A view of a street in Jayanagar.
10:53 Public-sector banks are open, but very few customers were seen.
10:45 Hopcoms, milk booths and grocery shops are open.
09.50 Numerous members of Lorry drivers' association gathered in front of Town Hall now.
09:41 More than 300 rowdy elements have been taken into preventive custody in the city More than 300 rowdy elements have been taken into preventive custody in the city
09:35 Additional Commissioner Alok Kumar has said that in cases of emergency, police vehicles will be deployed to help people stranded in the city. This will cater to the old and needy, he said.
09:33 Two mega rallies planned. Sa. Ra. Govind, president Dr Rajkumar Fans' Association to lead a protest rally from Majestic to Town Hall at 10 am. This rally to merge in another rally from town hall to freedom park to be led by Vatal Nagaraj.
09:31 There have been flash protests across the city by pro Kannada groups. Tyres have been burnt. Rasta roko protests by pro Kannada groups on Mysore Road, Townhall, Mysore Bank circle, Majestic and other places. Roads wear a deserted look as there is little traffic.
09:29 No untoward incident reported in the city till now. Commissioner M.N. Reddi and all senior officials patrolling city.
09:27 Activists of pro-Kannada groups roaming on the streets in bikes, forcing shutters down.
09:26 BMTC and KSRTC bus services have been hit. Very few buses on the street. Hotels and theatres have shut down operations. Autorickshaws are not running.
