Bharat bandh: Security beefed up across Karnataka for Thursday

Security has been beefed up across Karnataka for the one-day bandh called on Thursday by NDA and other opposition parties to protest against the recent hike in the prices of diesel.

While two companies of central paramilitary forces would arrive soon to beef up security in the state, about 17,000 personnel and nearly 30 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police and City Armed Reserve would patrol the city, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sunil Kumar told reporters here.

Police would videograph protests to identify mischief mongers and bring them to book, he said, adding more police personnel would be deployed in sensitive areas.

Though government has not declared a holiday, schools and colleges would take a decision on working depending on the situation, Kumar said.

The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences had postponed tomorrow''s examinations as a precautionary measure.

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation have decided to operate their services.

However BMRCL sources said they would be forced to stop 'Namma Metro' services if some untoward incident occurs.

Autorickshaws drivers have said their vehicles would be off the roads on Thursday.