Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Justin D'Silva

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (SP)

Mangaluru/Udupi, Sep 28: The state-wide bandh call given by various organizations to protest against what they term as anti-farmer measures undertaken by the state and central governments on Monday September 28, has evoked lukewarm response. Mangaluru and Udupi did not show good response to the call.

Private and KSRTC buses have started moving about normally. Auto-rickshaws too have taken to the roads now. Business establishments have opened their shutters, with shops and other business concerns having started their business as usual.

Mangaluru

Udupi

It appears that the bandh call in Dakshina Kannada will be limited to holding of symbolic protest. The normal life of the citizens is not affected. Police have taken extensive measures to maintain law and order in the city with over 300 police personnel having been deployed at various spots. Six Karnataka State Reserve Police and district armed police have been posted at strategic places. The police have also been using the services of about 50 home guards personnel.

Police officers have been on the rounds since early morning. They have warned protesters of stern action if they try to force people to close their businesses. They will also be dealt with firmly if they are found to be violating the COVID 19 guidelines.

Farmer organizations have planned to hold a protest on Monday in front of the Mini Vidhana Soudha. Democratic Youth Federation of India, CPI, CPI (M), Congress, JD(S), CITU, AITUC, and DSS organizations are expected to participate in the protest.

The bandh call has only received meager response in Udupi where private and KSRTC buses have been moving about normally. Activists of various organizations are seen pleading with the people and shopkeepers to extend support to the bandh call.

Jananasnehi Bus Association which has a membership of 45 buses has pledged support to the bandh call. Therefore, these 45 buses will not be in service on Monday.

All other services are being provided normally. Most of the bus owners have refused to support the band call. They say that they have already suffered huge losses due to lockdown and therefore cannot afford to stop bus services on Monday. There was a heated exchange of words between the protesters and bus owners. The police who were at the spot intervened and brought the situation under control.

The police clarified that there is no provision to force the people to participate in the bandh and the protesters are allowed only to request the people to cooperate.

Several protesters were arrested at Udupi on Monday morning when they tried to stage a road blockade.

The political activists who got arrested were Ramesh Kanchan, Congress councillor, Balakrishna Shetty, CPI(M) district secretary, Ganesh Nergi, Congress leader, Prakhyath Shetty, vice president of Udupi district unit of the Congress and some others.