Mixed response to bandh in Udupi

The 12 hours nationwide bandh call by the NDA alliances and the Left parties evoked mixed response throughout the district.  The bandh was peaceful and partial without any untoward incidents reported from anywhere in the district.

The bandh call against the Congress led UPA government over hike in diesel price and Foreign Direct Investment and ceiling on subsidised LPG cylinders disturbed normal life. The transport was massively affected. The KSRTC buses, private and city buses remained off roads. However, there was no dearth for private vehicles in many areas. The private vehicles were seen plying as usual on the stretches. Auto rickshaws plied in the district.
Educational institutions including schools and colleges remained closed for the entire day.

The commuters were seen waiting for the buses in the bus stops. Government offices registered very less attendances. Children were seen playing cricket in the bus stops, roads and other open spaces spending time leisurely.

The shops and retail outlets in some areas remained open during morning hours, however some of them were forcefully shut down by the agitators in Brahmavar and Kundapur areas. BJP workers staged “Rasta Roko” in Santhekatte, Kalianpura and Brahmavar areas.

SP Dr Boralingaiah M B told Deccan Herald that the bandh was peaceful except for two to three minor incidents where the agitators blocked the road. Overall the bandh was peaceful without any untoward incidents, he said.

District BJP members staged protest before Clock Tower in front of Service Bus stop on the occasion.

Zilla Panchayat President Katpadi Shankar Poojary accused UPA government of following anti people policies. He urged the government to withdraw the decision of hiking the diesel price, FDI and ceiling on subsidised LPG cylinders.

He added that the hike in diesel price will automatically lead to the hike in the prices of essential commodities and the transport will cost more, he said.

He demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to immediately resign from the post as he is incompetent to run the government. He is the puppet in the hands of Sonia Gandhi, he ridiculed.

District JD(S) unit also staged protest and shouted slogans against UPA government and its anti people decisions. The protestors also went to the shops that were kept open and appealed them to support their protest by closing their outlets.

CPI (M) staged protest in Shastri Circle in Kundapur. Center for Indian Trade Union (CITU) President Shankar strongly condemned the act of UPA government and alleged that government policies are totally wrong.

It will be huge burden on the lives of common man. They raised slogans against UPA government.