Prohibitory orders in Bengaluru from midnight on Sept 29 till Sept 30 midnight: Police chief

BENGALURU: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of IPC will be enforced in the city from midnight on September  29 till midnight on September 30 in view of the Karnataka bandh being organised on Friday, Police Commissioner B Dayananda said on Thursday.

The bandh is being organised following a call given by pro-Kannada groups to protest against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu. The police commissioner said gatherings of more than five people will not be permitted in order to maintain law and order.

Permission will also not be given for any kind of processions, rallies or protest. Forcing a ‘bandh’ will amount o violating Supreme Court orders. Organisers will be held responsible for any damage to private or public property and loss of life. Action will be taken if vehicles are blocked and damaged and shop are forcibly closed during the bandh, the police commissioner warned.

The bandh is expected to cause disruption to normal life in the city, with schools, colleges, government offices, banks, ATMs, private transport, taxis, cabs, shops, commercial establishments, hotels and restaurants expected to be closed.

However, BMTC and KSRTC buses will operate as usual. Essential services such as hospitals, nursing homes, medical shops, emergency services, petrol pumps, water supply, electricity and sanitation services are also expected to remain open.

To maintain law and order in the city, the police department has deployed additional personnel at important places. The police department has also deployed striking forces, RAF units and 60 KSRP platoons.

Security has been provided at the railway station, airport and for Tamil Nadu-bound buses. All policemen in Bengaluru will be to duty and all steps will be taken to maintain safety and security in the city, the police commissioner said.

The Film Chambers of Commerce has extended its support for the bandh and shooting activities will be stopped on Friday. Many other actors including hattrick hero Shivarajkumar, Kiccha Sudeep, Darshan, Raghavendra Rajkumar, Dhruva Sarja, Ragini Dwivedi and others have already extended their support for the Cauvery issue.