Bundh hits normal life

Buses, autos, taxis keep off roads, schools remain closed

With the ruling BJP extending support to the strike, buses and other public transport vehicles were off the roads in most of the places and educational institutions remained closed. Government offices, banks and other financial institutions functioned with thin attendance.

Protestors resorted to rallies, blocked roads, and conducted a mock funeral of the LPG cylinder at many places.

With most of the private and public transport service, including autos, taxis, state-run buses keeping off roads, Bangalore literally came to a stand still.

Majority of the educational institutions, corporate houses,  malls, theatres and banks also remained closed.

With BMTC buses pulling out from many routes,  few auto and taxi drivers were seen raking in money, charging more than the double.

In an unusual incident in Hubli, people at a marriage function had to eat food without salt as the commodity was not available because of the general strike.

Shops were closed and buses and auto rickshaws remained off the roads in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu and Chikmagalur. Passengers had to depend on taxis to reach Mangalore railway station and airport.

The protesters, led by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, staged a protest near the Mangalore City Railway station and some youth activists filled potholes and cleaned footpaths. A few more protesters near Brahmavar cooked lunch on the K G Road.

Marriage parties were held across the undivided Dakshina Kannada amid fear of violence. In Kodagu, BJP activists gheraoed KPCC Working President D K Shivkumar.

Barring a few stone-throwing incidents, the bundh was peaceful in Mysore, Mandya, Hassan and Chamarajnagar districts. Daily wage workers were hit hard as business in wholesale markets had come to a standstill. While Tumkur town wore a deserted look, auto drivers played cricket on roads in Kolar.

Activists of the BJP and the Left parties forcibly downed the shutters of a few shops in Tirthahalli, Shimoga and Davangere.

Barring the stoning of BSNL office and enquiry counter at the Hubli railway station, the bundh was peaceful in Hubli-Dharwad twin cities.

Those who were to attend marriage parties had a harrowing experience in the Hyderabad Karnataka region, including Gulbarga, Yadgir, Bidar and Raichur as the NEKRTC had withdrawn bus services.

In all the four district headquarters, the BJP, JD(S) and the CPM took out separate bike rallies. While in Gulbarga normalcy was restored after 2 pm, in Bidar a curfew-like situation prevailed as the shops were closed.

The Left parties along with the JD(S) held a mock funeral of LPG cylinder and set fire to the effigy of the Congress leaders.