Karnataka Bandh: 44 flights from Bengaluru airport cancelled in less than 6 hours of shutdown

In just the first six hours of the Karnataka bandh called by Kannada Okkuta, 44 flights were cancelled on Friday. “44 flights including 22 arrivals and 22 departures have been cancelled today,” PRO, Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru said. While most passengers reportedly complained that their tickets were cancelled without any prior notice, the airport authorities said the flights were cancelled due to operational reasons, and passengers were informed about it. On Thursday, BLR Airport in a post on X said: “Passengers are requested to follow alerts from respective airlines, law enforcement agencies and media releases for further updates.” A 12-hour state-wide bandh has been called by Kannada Okkuta, an umbrella organisation for Kannada organisation to protest the release of Cauvery river water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu. As per reports, five pro-Kannada activities were taken into custody as they tried to enter the airport premises with a Karnataka flag and even created a ruckus inside the airport. The protesters reportedly booked flight tickets to get entry to the airport premises. Normalcy across Karnataka, including the IT hub of India - Bengaluru- has been affected due to the bandh. Authorities have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Bengaluru Urban, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara and Hassan districts, and declared a holiday for schools and colleges. The streets of Karnataka wore a deserted look as most of the shops, business establishments and eateries in Cauvery basin districts downed their shutters. Private vehicles were off the roads in those areas. Multiplexes and single-screen movie theatres across the state have cancelled film shows till evening, with the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association backing the bandh.