Bundh peaceful in Udupi

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Udupi SP Pravin Pawar said “everything went off peacefully and no untoward incidents have been reported in the district.”

The bundh affected the normal life. Hospitals remained open. Banks and some of the private institutions functioned as usual. KSRTC and service buses were off the road. City buses and taxis did not ply in the district. Some autorickshaws were seen plying in the region.

Udupi City Bus Owners Association President Krishna Anchan said “buses did not operate fearing untoward incidents. However, services resumed after 6 pm,” he added.

The Government offices remained open and bundh had no impact on the functioning in the offices, sources in DC Office informed. However most of the offices recorded less attendance.

Nearly 70 per cent of the schools and colleges remained closed in the district. DDPI Mahidas informed that majority schools adjoining NH-17 were closed due to inevitable circumstances. Educational institutions in rural areas were not affected much by the bundh, he added.

Some miscreants tried to burn tyres at Karavali junction, Kalyanapura, Brahmavar. Youth cooked food on the road in Brahmavar.

The security was beefed up in Udupi. Six platoons of DAR and two platoons of KSRP was deployed to maintain law and order in the district. The bundh did not affect the supply of essential commodities and marriage functions.

The K M Road wore a deserted look on Monday. Even hospitals did not have the usual rush. The number of outpatients was less. Theatres, petrol bunks, vegetable markets remained closed.

As schools had holiday, children were seen playing cricket on the road. The flower stalls were open throughout the day in Udupi. However, there was no buyers.

“We can not keep the flowers for long. Hence, we have opened our shops. We can not close down without selling flowers,” said flower merchant Nagesh.