Normal life unaffected by bandh in Bengaluru

The dawn-to-dusk Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations on Monday evoked a poor response in the city.

The normal life, by and large, remained unaffected. BMTC and Namma Metro operations were not affected. Cab services, including Ola and Uber, were normal  though the waiting time seemed to be a bit longer.

Schools and colleges recorded good attendance. Shops, hotels and all other business establishments remain opened through the day.

Police had made elaborate security arrangements to thwart any untoward incidents.

About 2,000 police personnel from the law and order and traffic wings, besides CAR and KSRP, were deployed.
Additional deployments were made at railway station, bus stands and Kempegowda International airport to ensure peace and harmony.

The police had enhanced security at all shopping malls, markets and business establishments.

About 200 Kannada activists were taken into preventive custody when they attempted to take out a procession from Town Hall to picket Vidhana Soudha.

“We had anticipated that the bandh would be a flop show as Kannada organisations were divided on calling for a bandh. Various government and private organisations too had clarified that they would not support the bandh.

There were intelligence alerts that public and business community were opposed to the bandh and might not participate,” said a police officer.

There were attempts to stage protests at Mysore Bank circle, Kengeri, K R Puram and Chamarajpet, but the police detained protesters and released them later.

“As a precautionary measure, we had warned certain leaders about participating in the bandh to trigger violence. These were the leaders whom the police had kept under control during the Cauvery bandh,” he said.