Mangalore shuts down on Bundh day; Protest against Governor held

Mangalore, January 22: The speculations that state-wide bundh call given by Bharatiya Janata Party government led by Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa will not be having any effect in the district have been proved wrong, after both government private buses stopped plying in the early hours of Saturday.

The bundh was called in protest of Governor HR Bhardwaj's decision to allow filing of criminal cases against Chief Minister over “various grave allegations of corruption and criminal misconduct”.

Around five dozens of BJP activist staged a protest rally from the office of the party in Kodiyalbail to Hampankatta via Bunts Hostel and Jyothi Circle. Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Chairman of Karnataka State Govt. Minorities Development Corporation Anwar Manippady, and other local leaders of the party including Monappa Bandary and Srikar Prabhu were present in the rally.

The saffron activists staged sporadic protests in several parts of the city including Jyothi Circle, Hampankatta, Pumpwell and State Bank. However, the movement of auto-rickshaws and other vehicles has been continuing inside the city.

Although, Bhaskar Salian, President of City Bus Owners Association and Secretary of Canara Bus Owners Association had stated that buses will move as usual in both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district, most of the buses remained off the city roads.

Except medical shops, hospitals and petrol bunks most of the commercial and educational establishments have pulled their shutters down willingly or unwillingly contributing to make the bundh successful across the city.

The impact of bundh call was relatively high in sensitive neighbourhoods of the city. Despite policemen keeping a strict vigil, in an attempt to avoid any untoward incidents, many shop owners were forced to participate in bundh in some areas. In Thokkottu junction, a team led by BJP leader Chandrahas Ullal forced many shop owners to close down their shops. According to local sources, around two hundred people gathered at Thokkottu junction at around 8:30 am shouting slogans against the Governor and leaders of Congress and JDS parties. The protesters also forced all the auto-rickshaws to remain off the roads in the area.

Padmanabha Kottary, Dakshina Kannada district BJP president, has urged the people to voluntarily observe the bundh. At the same time, in an appeal to his followers, he said vehicles carrying milk, food items, medicines and patients should not be forcefully stopped.

Security

Mangalore City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and DK SP A Subrahmanyeshwara Rao have warned the miscreants of strict action against any misdeeds or stone pelting incidents.

The Police Department has been put on high alert. Police vehicles are patrolling across the city to prevent any untoward incidents on the bundh day.

As part of security measures, forces have also been drawn from District Armed Reserve.

Singh has said that all the measures necessary to maintain law and order have been taken and the police force is ready to face any situation.

Terrorising people

Justifying HR Bharadwaj's move against the Chief Minister, who is facing serious allegations, Mangalore MLA UT Khader termed the bundh as 'Terrorising the common people'

“Bharadwaj's move was completely unbiased and absolutely right as a responsible Governor. If the CM is innocent, let him fight against the Governor in the court. Imposing bundh protesting the legal procedures is apparently against the democratic spirit,” he said adding “CM and his party is terrorising the general public through this unlawful bundh”