Karnataka bandh: Pro-Kannada groups protest, many shops stay open as police detain activists

The dawn-to-dusk statewide bandh called by pro-Kannada groups to protest the alleged assault on a state-run bus conductor in Belagavi last month for not knowing Marathi passed off peacefully on Saturday. (Photo/Agencies)

There were no untoward incidents as police made elaborate arrangements to prevent any disruption of law and order during the shutdown. (Photo/Agencies)

Ahead of the bandh, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara appealed to people to protest peacefully, warning that any attempt to disturb law and order or resort to vandalism would be dealt with an iron hand. (Photo/Agencies)

In several parts of the state, pro-Kannada groups took to the streets, staging protests and urging shopkeepers to support the bandh. However, most shops remained open as usual. (Photo/Agencies)

In Bengaluru, activists gathered at Mysore Bank Circle, raising slogans and holding placards. (Photo/Agencies)

Some demonstrators staged a protest at the BMTC and KSRTC bus stands in Majestic, urging bus drivers and conductors to support the bandh. As their agitation intensified, police took them into preventive custody. (Photo/Agencies)

Leading the agitation, Kannada Chalavali (Vatal Paksha) convener Vatal Nagaraj staged a demonstration at Majestic. He termed the bandh a "success", claiming that bus stands were deserted, many shopkeepers had shut their shops, and several autorickshaw drivers stayed off the roads. (Photo/Agencies)

Elaborate security arrangements were in place across the state, with senior officers monitoring the situation on the ground to prevent any untoward incidents. (Photo/Agencies)

On February 28, Kannada Okkuta, an umbrella organisation representing various pro-Kannada groups, announced the statewide bandh from 6 am to 6 pm on March 22. (Photo/Agencies)