Somwarpet bandh evokes mixed response

The voluntary bandh call given by Taluk Jai Jawan Ex-servicemen Association and Rashtriya Suraksha Samiti in Somwarpet on Tuesday received a mixed response.

The bandh call was given condemning the act of celebration of Pulwama attack by a miscreant at Ranger Block while homage was being paid to the martyrs, at Puttappa Circle on February 15.

A man had burst firecrackers at Rangers Block at the same time, in celebration. The organisations had urged the arrest of the culprit.

Shopkeepers supported the bandh by pulling down shutters. Autorickshaw Owners’ and Drivers’ Association also rendered their support to the bandh. The roads wore a deserted look.

Government offices functioned as usual. A few schools and colleges conducted classes. KSRTC and private buses operated normally.

When ex-servicemen and Hindu activists attempted to block the roads at Vivekananda Circle, Banavara Road and Junior College Road, police prevented them from doing so.

In the afternoon, the protestors took out a procession and submitted a memorandum to the government through the tahsildar.

Later, they visited the police station and urged the arrest of the culprit within seven days.

Ex-servicemen Association president Erappa said after the terrorists killed 49 CRPF personnel and homage was being paid to martyrs’, some anti-national element had burst firecrackers. This heinous act will not be tolerated and will be condemned.

Ex-servicemen Association office-bearers Major Mandappa, A K Machaiah, Sukumar, Mahesh, BJP leaders S G Medappa, S B Bharat Kumar, Gowdalli Sunil, Hindu activists Umesh, Subhash Timmaiah, Kibbetta Madhu, Darshan Joyappa and Yadavanadu Ramesh took part in the protest.