Tight security in place for Karnataka bandh

With Cauvery-related protests spilling over to the city, police have tightened security to deal with the 'Karnataka Bandh' called by Kannada outfits tomorrow to protest the release of water to Tamil Nadu.

The bandh is likely to paralyse life in Bangalore and Cauvery basin districts with Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation deciding not to operate their services.

Autorickshaws and even cab drivers have decided to join the stir which is also being backed by Advocates Association of Bangalore who called for boycott of courts.

Cinema theatres will not be screening films with the Kannada film industry supporting the bandh. Shops and commericial establishments would also down shutters.

Karnataka Milk Federation and domestic LPG dealers have also decided to join the agitation with KMF booths remaining closed from six am to six pm tomorrow and the LPG dealers stopping supply of domestic cylinders for a day.

All India LPG Distributors Assocaition Secretary N Sathyan said they would function on Sunday.

Security is being beefed up to prevent any untoward incidents in the state tomorrow with a total of 80,000 police and other personnel being deployed, Additional Director General of Police, Bipin Gopalakrishna told PTI.

Armed Reserve and Commissionerates of districts will keep a close vigil on the situation while three companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed in the Cauvery belt especially at the Kabini and KRS reservoirs.

In the city, 20,000 police personnel including those from Karnataka State Reserve Police and City Armed Reserve would be deployed, Additional Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Suneel Kumar said. Besides this, 40 platoons of KSRP will be positioned in senstive areas of the city.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar held a meeting with his two deputies-- K S Eswarappa, R Ashok-- and other officials on steps to be initiated for tomorrow's bandh.

Various organsiations and Farmers outfits have also appealed to people to support the bandh.