City largely peaceful

Barring stray incidents of processions, protest rallies and burning of effigies, the Bharat bandh called by the BJP and Left parties passed off peacefully in the City. 

The bandh was total and no untoward incidents were reported. By evening, life limped back to normal.

Security was beefed up in the City to prevent any untoward incidents. Additional police forces were deployed at strategic locations in the City.

FDI withdrawal

Bangalore City Chemists andDruggists’ Association members staged a protest condemning the Central government’s decision to allow FDI in retail drug market. They alleged that the decision would adversely affect around 30,000 chemists and druggists in the City.

Addressing the protestors, Bangalore City Chemists & Druggists’ Association general secretary Ravindra Kumar said nearly five lakh people who are in the business will be hit by the Union government’s decision to allow FDI in the retail sector. Left parties and farmers’ associations staged a protest rally in front of the BBMP office in KR Puram and burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Farmers’ leader Kodihalli Chandrashekhar said the UPA government had failed to prevent the increasing prices. The government has again increased the diesel price and has now allowed FDI in the retail markets. Such decisions will only ruin livelihoods and businesses of farmers and local communities.

JD(S), JD(U), CPM and Dalit Sangharsha Samithi members held a rally in front of the Town Hall and raised slogans against the Central government. Former minister PGR Sindhia said the Central government is increasing prices of essential commodities and petroleum prices at least four times a year.