Bandh peaceful, but hits normal life hard

Normal life was affected on Monday following the Bharat bandh called by the Congress and JD(S) coalition government against rising fuel prices.

There were no reports of violence and untoward incidents in the city.

Pro-Kannada activists started the rally from the Mekhri Circle and tried to besiege Raj Bhavan. However, police stopped them near the BDA complex and detained them. Later in the evening, they released all the activists.

The protesters demanded reduction in fuel prices.

The additional security was provided at BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa’s house in Dollars Colony. Ten more security personnel were deployed at his resident.

Nearly 15,000 police personnel guarded the streets, along with 30 platoons each of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and the City Armed Reserves (CAR). At least 270 Hoysala patrol cars and hundreds of Cheetah motorbikes patrolled the streets.

Firefighters, home guards, civil defence personnel, quick response teams and anti-sabotage squads were also on the standby.

Metro was the only mode of transport to a most of people who came from outside the city, and tight security was provided to all the stations.