Cauvery row: Section 144 imposed in Karnataka's Mandya ahead of Friday bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations

livemint.com:

ANI, “In view of the bandh called by pro-Kannada organizations, farmer unions, and several other organizations tomorrow regarding Cauvery water issue, Section 144 has been imposed in Mandya district and schools and colleges will remain closed tomorrow." Earlier on Monday, after the successful Bengaluru shutdown -- called by 'Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti', an umbrella outfit of farmers’ associations and other organizations led by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar, 'Kannada Okkuta' -- led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj -- made an announcement for the Karnataka bandh on 29 September. ALSO READ: Bengaluru bandh news: After today, statewide bandh called on THIS date against Cauvery water release As per details, though both the bodies are fighting for the same issue, however, Vatal Nagaraj, who had called for a state bandh on Friday, made it clear that Kannada Okkuta was not supporting Monday's bandh.

On being asked as to why the bandh was called by others only for Bengaluru, he said, "What we have called is Akhanda Karnataka bandh (entire Karnataka bandh) on September 29. It will be observed across the state without leaving any district.

Our fight is for the entire Karnataka. Kannada Okkuta has organized more than 50 bandhs in the whole state so far," he said as quoted by PTI. Earlier on Monday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government will not curtail the “Bengaluru bandh" called by some farmers' organizations on Tuesday as protests over the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu have intensified.

However, he underlined the importance of the maintenance of peace. He even added his government will place its argument more forcefully before the Supreme Court on the release of Cauvery River water