Mandya: Rail and road services between Bangalore and Mysore were suspended on
October 5 as the agitation against release of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu was
intensified with angry protesters going on a rampage in several parts of the
district.
Protesters removed sleepers and placed burning tyres on railway tracks between
Pandavapura and Bydarahalli on the Bangalore-Mysore broad-gauge line, police said.
Fish plates were also found removed at some points.
Dozens of vehicles were stoned at different places in Mandya district and tyres
deflated since October 4 evening, leaving hundreds of people stranded, forcing some
of them to walk to the nearest places where they could engage private vehicles to
reach Bangalore.
Prompted by reports of violence, the railway authorities announced suspension of
train services between Bangalore and Mysore. Karnataka State Road Transport
Corporation (KSRTC) also stopped plying buses.
Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed in sensitive parts, even as additional
police reinforcements were rushed to further tighten the security measures. A close
watch is being kept particularly near the Central and state government offices,
police said.
It was an undeclared bandh in Mandya where the shops and other commercial
establishments did not open the shutters. A holiday has been declared for schools
and colleges in Mandya district till October 7.
Violence flared up on October 4 following a Supreme Court decision asking Karnataka
to release 0.8 TMC ft of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister S M Krishna
has ruled out the release of water.
PTI
