NEW DELHI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A shutdown was underway in India's southern state Karnakata on Friday as a protest against the sharing of Cauvery river water with the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.
The shutdown, supported by a section of organizations having allegiance to Karnakata, has led to the cancellation of 44 flights to and from the state capital, Bengaluru.
According to media reports, all shops, shopping malls and other commercial establishments remained closed in the state, and hotels, restaurants, film theaters, cabs and taxi services were non-functional. Residents supporting the shutdown blocked highways and tollgates as well, disrupting road traffic.
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have a long-standing dispute over the sharing of water of the river Cauvery, with the latter asking the former to release its share of water. ■
