Shillong, September 29: Five activists detained while attempting a protest at Bengaluru airport during the Karnataka bandh organized by pro-Kannada groups concerning the Cauvery water issue. As a result, 44 flights to cities like New Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai have been canceled.

As per IANS, the activists, who had purchased tickets for Indigo 7731, entered the airport premises at 9.50 am with plans to stage a protest near the flight. Airport authorities took them into custody, and they were later handed over to the police. Official statements from the police are pending.

Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy urged the state government to release the detained Kannada activists promptly and emphasized the importance of unity for the state’s interests.

Protesters also burned effigies of 28 MPs from Karnataka who were criticized for not advocating for the state’s Cauvery water concerns. Among these MPs, 25 are from BJP, with one each from JD(S) and Congress, and one independent candidate supporting the BJP.