Bundh evokes mixed response

Banks and schools close in districts; life unaffected

A bundh call given by  federation of various labour organisations to protest against rise in price of essential commodities and proposal to increase private investment in public sector undertakings evoked mixed response in districts of Hassan, Mandya and Chamarajangar.

More than 11 labour unions joined hands to stage protests based on a call given by CPM. CITU led the protest in Hassan. Members of Students’ Federation of India staged a protest putting forth their demands related to education sector.

The bundh was successful in Hassan as majority of shops, schools, colleges and banks were closed. Even before people had started to venture out in Hassan, tyres were set on fire. near Bastikoppal Circle, Slaters Hall Circle, Sahyadri Talkies, Mahaveera Circle, Hemavathi Statue and other places. 

Members of various labour unions urged shopkeepers to down their shutters in support of the bundh.  Banks, schools and colleges were also closed in the city. The protesters took out a rally from Hemavathi Statue to N R Circle on the occasion.

In MandyaBusiness establishments in the main business area were closed, but business was normal in residential areas and outskirts of Mandya city. The situation was not any different in taluk centres.Protestors formed a human chain at KR Circle in the city. 

Police took some protestors, who tried to stage a rasta roko in the city. Autorickshaws and goods transport vehicles belonging to some unions stayed off the road till the evening, while the schedule of busses and other passenger vehicles was not affected. Nationalised banks and educational institutions remained closed.

In ChamarajanagarThe response to bundh call was muted in Chamarajanagar. Labour unions of BSNL, nationalised banks and angawadi workers staged a protest in the district. However, it didn’t affect traffic or cause closure of shops, schools and colleges. A rally was taken out from the tourist home to district adminstration office by anganwadi workers.