The bandh call in Subrahmanya in protest against the assault on Sullia taluk Hindu Jagarana Vedike Secretary Guruprasad Panja received an overwhelming response as shop owners voluntarily downed shutters on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Chaitra Kundapur and eight others, who allegedly assaulted Panja, were arrested by the Subrahmanya police and were produced before a court. They have been remanded in judicial custody till November 3.
Sources in Subrahmanya police station told DH that eight men, who had accompanied Chaitra Kundapur, have been booked under section 307 of IPC (attempt to murder).
Later in the evening at a thanksgiving programme organised in Subrahmanya for vendors and devotees, who had extended their co-operation to the bandh, Lakshmeesha Gabaladka, a Right Wing activist, said Chaitra Kundapur is unfit to be hailed as a Hindu leader.
Another leader Kishore Shiradi condemned Chaitra Kundapur for dividing hindus.
He also expressed his disappointment about top rung leaders of Right Wing organisations maintaining a stony silence on the issue.
The other leaders also demanded the boycott of local residents who are in nexus with such vandals to create unrest in the town.
Later, hundreds of shop owners, women and devotees took out a procession and submitted a memorandum to Subrahmanya Station House Officer stating that Panja is innocent and charges levelled against him are baseless.
DH News Service