Mixed response to bandh in Belgaum

The bandh call by Marathi organisations on Sunday, in honour of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray who died on Saturday, received mixed response from the citizens in many places, including the City, Nippani and Khanapura, in the district.

Most shops remained closed in Maruthi Galli, parts of Khade Bazaar, Ganapathi Galli, Ramadev Galli and Kirloskar Road in the city while vegetable and fruit vendors carried out
business as usual.

As it was Sunday, educational institutions as well as government offices were closed. Bus transport between Karnataka and Maharashtra was unhindered by the bandh. However, there was a drop in the number of commuters and buses on some routes had to be cancelled, said A S R Namaji, Belgaum divisional controller, North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and Shantappa, Chikkodi divisional controller.

There were no cases of any untoward incident, barring the one at a railway overbridge in the City, where miscreants hurled stones at a bus.

Members and office-bearers of Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, Marathi Yuva Aghadi and other pro-Marathi organisations paid tributes to Thackeray by organising a silent procession from Shivaji Park till Sambhaji Circle. Congress and BJP organised separate meetings at Nippani to pay tributes to Thackeray. Such meetings were held in Khadakalata, Navalihala and Boragaon too.