Karnataka bandh: Shops, businesses remain closed; vehicle movement normal in Chikkamagaluru

Chikkamagaluru: The Karnataka bandh has received a mixed response in Karnataka's Chikkamagaluru district. While vehicle movement remained normal, shops and business establishments on major roads remained closed.

Kannada Sene activists travelled through the bus stand, I G Road, and M G Road, appealing to support the bandh. They attempted to close an open hotel at the bus stand, following which police intervened and advised against using force.

A bike rally was also conducted at Hiremagaluru. Protesters staged demonstrations in front of open shops near Kote Badavane, requesting their closure.

On the bus stand road, the protesters stopped a bus and asked the driver to wear a Kannada shawl and extend support. The police have strengthened security across the district.

No bandh in Dakshina Kannada

Meanwhile, the bandh did not have any impact in Dakshina Kannada as the private and KSRTC buses are plying normally. All the business establishments also remained open.

Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators Association President Azeez Parthipady had stated that the association will only extend moral support to the organisations that had given bandh call.

However, buses will operate normally as students are having exams and cannot inconvenience them. People from various districts arrive in Mangaluru for health care facilities. Without buses they will be inconvenienced. All the buses are operating normally, he said.