The bandh called by Kannada organisations in protest against the interim order of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal declining the state’s plea for diversion of 7 tmcft of water from the river to the Malaprabha basin was successful here.
No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the district.
Agitators assembled at the Bhuvaneshwari Circle here and staged a dharna. They condemned the tribunal for its interim order that denied using the river water to meet the drinking water needs of Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Gadag and other parts of north Karnataka.
They raised slogans against the Union and State governments for not protecting the interest of the people of north Karnataka.
The agitators also set tyres on fire at the circle and also performed urul seve against the verdict.
They sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in resolving the issue in favour of the State. Kannada activists and farmers also staged a protest at the railway station.
A few agitators were detained when they attempted to stop a train.
All business establishments, including hotels, theatres, fuel stations and banks remained shut for the day. KSRTC and private buses too did not ply. Educational institutions also remained closed.
The attendance at government offices was also poor owing to the bandh as most of the employees commute to Chamarajanagar from Mysuru.
However, the government hospital, pharmacies and milk booths functioned as usual.
The bandh was peaceful and successful in all the four taluk centres. Mobile police vans and police personnel were deployed at important places such as the bus stand, government hospital and other places.
