Karnataka: Farmer associations and pro-Kannada groups staged massive protests as a part the Karnataka bandh across the State against the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal’s verdict on Thursday, July 28.

Protestors in Belagavi blocked National Highway 4. The police arrested the protestors for obstructing the traffic.

Pro-Kannada groups in Gadag were seen burning tyres and shouting slogans against the Central government. Stones were pelted at the post office as well as other places in Gadag.

Normal life was affected in Hubballi as bus services were hit due to the protests. Vegetable vendors were also attacked. Holiday was declared for schools and colleges. Security was beefed up.

Farmers and other protestors took to the streets in Chikkaballapura. They pelted eggs at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minsiter Siddaramaiah’s posters.

Protestors burnt tyres at the Jubilee Circle in Dharwad. Several groups joined the protests. Shops were closed and bus services were hit. Stones were hurled at the All India Radio centre in Dharwad.

Several groups were seen blocking roads in Bhuvaneshwari Nagar of Chamarajanagar. They shouted slogans against the State and Central government. They too expressed their anger by burning tyres.

In comparison, Bengaluru witnessed lukewarm response to the bandh. A few people were seen protesting at KJ Road and Mysuru Bank circle.

The Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal on Wednesday 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.