Mysuru: A bandh call given by a section of pro-Kannada and farmers’ organisations received a poor response across Mysuru and several Malnad districts, even as advocates boycotted court proceedings over the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) direction to release water.
Normal life continues in Mysuru
According to authorities, schools and colleges in Mysuru remained open and bus, auto and cab services continued as usual. The KSRTC operated all scheduled services, while private buses also ran normally across the district.
Hotels too remained open, with Hotel Owners Association president C Narayana Gowda confirming that establishments were functioning as usual.
However, the Mysuru Bar Association decided to boycott court proceedings. Association president S Lokesh said advocates would not attend proceedings in protest against the CWRC direction to release Cauvery water.
Meanwhile, several farmers’ groups took out protest marches in the city.
Poor response in Malnad districts
The bandh also received a poor response in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Kodagu and Chamarajanagar districts. Normal commercial and public activity continued in most areas despite calls for a shutdown.
Mandya sees strong protests
Mandya, the epicentre of the protests, witnessed a markedly different situation. Various Kannada and farmers’ organisations staged protests from the morning, demanding that the State Government not release Cauvery water.
Agitators also reportedly forced the closure of several commercial establishments in the district as part of the bandh.
The protests come amid growing opposition from farmers’ and pro-Kannada groups to the release of Cauvery water, with demonstrators seeking the protection of the interests of farmers and the State’s water requirements.