Bengaluru ban orders extended, Karnataka braces for legal bout

Policemen arrest Kannada activists who were trying to enter the railway station to stop trains during their protest over Cauvery water issue, in Bengaluru. (Photo: PTI)

As the Karnataka government prepares itself for another round of legal battle with Tamil Nadu over the raging Cauvery dispute, the police on Thursday decided to continue prohibitory orders in the violence-hit city where normalcy has been restored.

As a preventive measure, Section 144 has been extended till September 25 midnight in Bengaluru and strong bandobast continues, senior police officials said, adding that life is normal everywhere.

Prohibitory orders were clamped on Monday after violence erupted with dozens of buses and lorries with Tamil Nadu number plate being set on fire as mobs let out their fury over reports of some incidents of attack on Kannadigas and their property in the neighbouring state.

As the violence flared up soon after the Supreme Court gave its amended order, directing Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu till September 20, the police had clamped curfew in 16 police station limits of Bengaluru city, which was lifted on Wednesday.

Despite the call given by pro-Kannada organisations for a “rail roko” on Thursday to protest against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, train services remained normal across the state.

In the city, the police stopped protesters who were marching to a railway station mid way.

Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj and several other Kannada Okkoota (federation) members were detained by the police.

Speaking to reporters before being detained, Nagaraj said, “Tomorrow they have called a Tamil Nadu bandh, against which we will observe black day across the state. Pro-Kannada organisations across the state will hold demonstrations with black flags in front to deputy commissioner offices.”

Due to heightened security, the rail roko was unsuccessful in Mandya, Mysuru, Hubballi, Shivamogga and other places where protesters who tried to enter railway stations were stopped and detained by the police.

In Kolar, protesters managed to stop the Kolar-Bangalore passenger train for some time.

Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday held a consultation meeting with retired Judges of high court and advocate-generals to discuss the course of Karnataka’s legal battle in order to get justice in Cauvery water sharing.