Good response for bandh in Koppa, Sringeri

Private buses remain off the road; schools, colleges remain closed

The bandh call given by farmers and other organisations demanding compensation for the crop loss and also to announce taluks in Malnad as flood-hit taluks, was total.

Demanding the compensation, farmers under the aegis of JD(S) and BJP took out a procession in Kalasa. The procession which commenced from Kalaseshwara swamy temple concluded at Nadakacheri office.

Addressing the protesters JD(S) leader Manjappayya said “Malnad has received
heavy rain in the last two months. The government which should have come to the rescue of the farmers has neglected them. The state government should impress upon the Central government to release additional compensation for the farmers who have incurred loss.”

The officials should visit the  spot and assess the damage and ensure that compensation amount do not fall into the hands of non beneficiaries. Anna Bhagya scheme should be extended to small farmers, said Manjappayya.
Former MLA M P Kumaraswamy said “growers are in distress in Malnad. However, the government is blind to the problems and is not supporting farmers movement. The recommendations made by the Gorakh Singh Committee should be implemented.”
JD(S) leader Jwalanayya said “the government should waive off the loan.”

Kalasa bandh was not politically motivated. It was a pro farmers movement,” said Taluk panchayat president Sheshagiri. 

“Kalasa should be declared as flood-hit region. The farmers who have lost crops should be given compensation of Rs one lakh per acre.”
All the business establishments remained closed and the buses and autorickshaws remained off the road.

Koppa

All the private buses remained off the road in Koppa taluk. Schools and colleges remained closed. The doors of banks were also shut. Except government offices, all the establishments had remained closed. Bandh in Hariharapura, Bhandigadi Kammaradi, Kuduregundi, Narve, Jayapura, Kalkere, Kogre and Heroor was peaceful.
The protesters urged the government to disburse compensation for the pepper, coffee, paddy and rubber growers. MLA D N Jeevraj, JD(S) state vice president H T Rajendra, progressive farmer Nagesh Rao and others were present.

Sringeri

The bandh was successful in Sringeri . Along with the private buses, even KSRTC buses and autorickshaws stopped plying on the road. The roads wore a deserted look and schools and colleges remained closed.

With the closure of hotels, tourists who visited Sringeri had a tough time in getting food.