There was good response to the bandh call in Hubballi on Thursday with all business establishments remaining shut and normal life affected for the day.
The landmark Kittur Chennamma Circle remained busy throughout the day as farmers, members of pro-Kannada organisations and people from different walks of life congregated at the junction to register their protest.
Despite his physical limitations, nonagenarian and veteran journalist Patil Puttappa made it to the Kittur Chennamma Circle to participate in the protest over the “injustice to the State” in the Mahadayi row.
Several leaders from different political parties, including Rajanna Koravi of the Janata Dal(S), Rajashekhar Menasinakai, Babajan Mudhol and others of the Congress along with office-bearers of pro-Kannada organisations, took part in the agitation. Participating in the protest, the office-bearers of the Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) also arranged food for the agitators.
Barring two instances of stone-throwing in which a truck and an autorickshaw were damaged, the bandh was peaceful.
There was an instance of altercation between the protesters and the police, when the former tried to forcibly close Central government offices, including BSNL and LIC, in the city. However, despite the resistance from the police, the protesters managed to closed the offices.
Roads remained unmotorable for most part of the day as barricades in the form of wooden logs, burning tyres, coconut shells and boulders created hurdles for motorists.
It was late in the evening that the situation slowly returned to normality.
