Bangalore: Amidst tight security, a 12-hour "Bangalore bandh" called by pro-Kannada organisations to protest the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu began here on September 12 morning, affecting the normal life.

City police has made tight security arrangements, deploying one platoon of Rapid Action Force, 60 platoons of City Armed Reserve and 24 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police, apart from 1,000 Home Guards.

Police is keeping close watch in sensitive areas inhabited by the linguistic minorities. With the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses off the roads, the movement of people was badly hit.

Private schools and colleges have declared a holiday. Essential services including milk supply and medical services remained normal.

Prohibitory orders are in force in sensitive parts of the city.

The bandh, beginning at 6 am, has been called by an umbrella of pro-Kannada organisations opposing the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and is backed by JD (U), JD(S) and Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Cinema theatres, shops, petrol bunks and other business establishments remained closed.

With no modes of transport available, people travelling into the city were stranded at the main bus stand. Autorikshaws were also not plying.

The bandh has remained peaceful so far, according to police which made preventive arrests of trouble-makers and anti-social elements on September 11 night.

Train services to the city remained unaffected.

Ever since the state began releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu following the Supreme Court directive, protests have erupted in Mandya and Mysore districts.

PTI