Who has called for the bandh?
The all Karnataka bandh on September 26 was called by the Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha and 900 other pro-Kannada organizations for the demand over Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project. This is the third time the state is facing a close-down this month over various issues.
Will services get affected?
It is a widely accepted fact that strikes tend to affect normal life. However, Karnataka police have assured that precautions would be taken to ensure security.
Speaking to the Additional Police Commissioner, Dr.Pratap Reddy, on effect of the bandh on various sectors, he told that according to the information with the state police, transport sector might be affected on Saturday as a few Karnataka trade unions have extended their support.
Meenakshi Sundaram of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) told that auto-rickshaws will not be available.
Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) are yet to take a final call.
Renukeshwar, Chief Traffic Manager (Operation) of BMTC said," Buses would run provided there is enough employee attendance tomorrow. Many BMTC employees are participating in the bandh. "
KSRTC Managing Director told The News Minute that as of now the decision is that the buses would run, but depending on the situation in the morning, they will call off the buses if needed.
Can private vehicles run?
Dr.Pratap Reddy ensured that private transport would not be affected. The entire police force would be on the patrol in Bengaluru city. They would be monitoring everything that happens.
”We are not expecting any effect on the private transport vehicles. We have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that forcible enforcement is not done by any of the groups,” he said.
Karnataka state reserve police and city armed forces would be deployed all over the state to ensure that security measures are being taken on the day of bandh.
What precautions can you take?
We would recommend that you tune into a local radio or TV station in the morning if you are about to go on any long distance trips or travelling within districts. Normally, it is the highways that bandh callers block the most.