Karnataka: The State is set for a complete shutdown on Saturday, July 30, in in protest against the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) order.

North Karnataka had witnessed violence on Wednesday and Thursday after the Mahadayi tribunal gave the verdict. The bandh on Saturday is expected to affect entire Karnataka.

Home Minister told on Friday that prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Cr.PC had been clamped on Nargund, Navalgund, Hubballi and Dharwad towns. Four companies each of the Border Security Force and the Rapid Action Force, and an adequate number of State Reserve Police personnel have been deployed in the Mumbai-Karnataka region.

Meanwhile, some districts have declared a holiday for schools and colleges, many private schools have said they will not function. Shops, offices, malls, and cinemas are expected to be shut down.

The Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal on Wednesday had rejected Karnataka’s request to allow it to utilise the excess water in Mahadayi river to meet drinking water needs. Karnataka in its petition had explained the drought situation in the state with 136 taluks declared as drought hit, of which 20 are in the Mahadayi basin. Karnataka also argued that 108 tmc ft of water is available in the basin and Goa is utilising 9.395 tmc ft.