Bandh total in N-K, poor response in coastal districts

 The Karnataka bandh demanding implementation of Mahadayi and Kalasa-Banduri projects was total and peaceful in all the districts of Mumbai-Karnataka and Hyderabad-Karnataka.

The bandh was total in the districts of Dharwad, Belagavi, Gadag, Haveri, Bagalkot,  Ballari, Koppal and Kalaburagi. A holiday was declared for the educational institutions in all these districts. Protesters interrupted the movement of trains in Dharwad, Hubballi, Belagavi, Yadgir and in Gadag. However, no arrests were made.

Normal life was affected in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad as buses, both government and private, were off the roads.

Autos and other vehicles too did not ply and roads wore a deserted look. A majority of the roads leading to Hubballi were blocked by placing thorny bushes and burning tyres. Several protest rallies were held in the two cities.

The protesters attempted to lay siege to the residence of Dharwad Lok Sabha member, Pralhad Joshi of the BJP. They charged Joshi with playing petty politics over the Kalasa-Banduri issue.

Verbal duel

A verbal duel ensued between the protesters and BJP workers who were present at Joshi’s residence. Police dispersed the quarrelling groups.

The bandh was near total in Belagavi. Saundatti, Gokak, Raibag, Athani, Chikkodi, Hukkeri and Gokak received good response for the bandh call.

 A car was set on fire by the protesters at Bailhongal town in Belagavi district.
Security was beefed up for the wall constructed to prevent flow of Kalasa canal waters into Malaprabha river at Kankumbi village in Khanapur taluk.

The bandh was total and peaceful in Kolar and Tumakuru districts. Shops and commercial establishments remained shut and cinema halls had suspended the shows. But, the response was not enthusiastic in Chikkaballapur district.

The bandh was partial and peaceful in Shivamogga, Shikaripur, Bhadravathi taluks. But Sagar, Thirthahalli, Sorab and Hosanagar taluks evoked mixed response.

Normal life was affected in Mysuru owing to overwhelming response for the bandh call. Kannada activists force-closed popular tourist destinations like Amba Vilas Palace and Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysuru Zoo). Though the Palace opened doors to visitors after some time, the zoo remained close throughout the day. The bandh was successful in Chikkamagaluru also.

No response

However, there was no response to bandh call in Vijayapura, Bidar and Raichur towns.
KSRTC and city buses operated as usual in Vijayapura. Business was not affected at shops and commercial establishments.

The bandh was partial in Uttara Kannada district.
There was no response for the bandh call in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Normal life remained unaffected in the coastal districts.

The shops, hotels and business establishments were open as usual. There was no holiday for schools and colleges.

The bandh call received lukewarm response in Madikeri (Kodagu district), but was successful in Somwarpet and Kushalnagar region.
The schools and colleges remained closed in the district.