Bharath bundh: Additional forces deployed

The Udupi district units of CPM, CPI, RSP and Forward Block will support the nation wide bundh call given by the Left parties, to oppose the recent fuel price hike.

Udupi district CPM Secretary K Shankar informed that the bundh will commence from 6 am. The government has increased the prices of petroleum products for the second time in a year. Rise in the price of petroleum products will lead to rise in bus fare.

He said that the government has hiked the prices of essential commodities recently. However, the income of the working class remains the same and they are struggling to meet their ends.  He urged the government to withdraw the hike in the bus fare. The State government should cut off the tax imposed on petroleum products, on the model adopted by the West Bengal government. The government must initiate measures to rehabilitate the flood victims.  DK District CPM unit Secretary B Madhava said with the increase in the rise of petroleum products, the inflation has reached 17 per cent.

Flaying the government for the price rise, he said the hartal will not affect the supply of essential commodities like water, milk, newspaper and emergency services.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Canara Bus Owners Association President Rajavarma Ballal said “we will try to operate the buses in the undivided Dakshina Kannada. If the organisers forcibly stop the bus by pelting stones, then we will stop the plying of buses. We are neither for bundh nor against the bundh. Moreover, I have my apprehension over the bundh having any impact on the Central government. Bundh will definetely affect the daily wage labourers and the working class.” Autorickshaw Association has also decided to remain off the road in the district.

Security

Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the district police in the wake of nation wide bundh call.

Udupi SP Prawin Pawar said “safety measures have been taken to avoid any untoward incidents. Patrolling will be carried out in the district. Six DAR platoons and 2 KSRP platoons have been deployed for the purpose. Besides all police officers in the district will be involved in patrolling. Sensitive areas have been identified.”

Mangalore Police Commissionerate Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said “additional 15 jeeps will be pressed for patrolling. KSRP, Home Guards and DAR personnel will be deployed for the security purpose.”  “City buses will run as usual. However, it will depend on the situation. We are not part of the bundh even though we are the victims of the hike in the price of petroleum products,” informed Udupi City Bus Owners Association President Krishna Anchan.  Schools in the district will be open and no official holiday has been declared by the government or district administration, said Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj. Udupi DDPI Mahidas said “classes will commence at usual timings. If a particular school records less attendance, then they can suspend the classes seeking permission by writing to BEO.”