Farmer Unions, Pro-Kannada Organisations Called For Karnataka Bandh

Schools And Colleges Shut…

The Karnataka Police have detained 50 members of pro-Kannada organisations protesting over the Cauvery River water dispute near Bengaluru to maintain law and order.

"We have made proper security arrangements as a bandh has been called by a number of pro-Kannada organisations.

More than 50 people from the organisations have been taken into custody so far...

We have efficient staff and we will make sure nothing goes wrong," Additional Superintendent of Police of Bengaluru Rural Mallikarjun Baladandi told news agency ANI.

In Chikkamangalur, protesters entered petrol bunks in bikes and protested, they also burnt the effigy of Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin.

In Bengaluru, protesters were detained and brought to Freedom Park. In Mandya, protesters rolled on roads in protest.

'Kannada Okkuta' - a blanket organisation of pro-Kannada groups on Friday announced a Karnataka bandh opposing an order directing the Karnataka government to release Cauvery river water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

This comes two days after observing the Bengaluru bandh which received mixed responses.

The bandh will be in effect from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday.

Bengaluru city police have issued orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

People are not allowed to hold rallies, protests, or congregations of more than five people.