Goa, March 22 -- A statewide shutdown has been called in Karnataka today by pro-Kannada groups, protesting the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi last month for not knowing Marathi. The 12-hour bandh, set to last from 6 am to 6 pm, is expected to cause significant disruptions, especially in transport services, as several auto-rickshaw, cab, and private driver unions have expressed their support for the protest.

In anticipation of potential unrest, the state government has made extensive security arrangements, deploying home guards and city armed reserve units across the state. Despite these measures, transport services will still be impacted. While state-run services like the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)...