Most shops across Bengaluru downed shutters after news spread that violence could erupt in the city following the Supreme Court's order asking Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water everyday till September 20 to Tamil Nadu.
Trouble started after fringe groups attacked shops and establishments owned by Tamilians in Bengaluru.
One of the first attacks was on Poorvika Mobile World on CMH road. Protestors also pelted stones at Adyar Anand Bhavan forcing the restaurant to shut. The Adyar Anand Bhavan at the Satellite Bus Stand on Mysore Road, was also vandalised by protestors.
Soon, smaller groups in bikes were seen attacking shops in Indiranagar and Koramangala.
Groups of men riding bikes pelt stones at Tamil establishments in Bengaluru. @thenewsminute pic.twitter.com/0GMWpVj799
— anna isaac (@anna_isaac) September 12, 2016
On MG Road too, a few shops belonging to Tamilians shut after groups came to threaten them.
Mantri Mall too was forcefully shut by protectors. By late afternoon, shops in most areas and even markets shut down as a precautionary measure.