Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld News Network - Bantwal (RJP)

Bantwal, Dec 30: Buses came to a halt at Mudipu here on Tuesday December 30 due to a strike called by Nagarika Kriya Samiti demanding decrease in bus fares.

Addressing the protest,zilla panchayat member Santhosh Kumar Rai Boliyar said, "No one has gained from the various plans introduced by the central government including the reduction in fuel prices. The protest held today is only a symbolic one. If the authorities and bus operators do not listen to our demands, we will intensify the protests from January 7."

He further said, "After the fuel prices came down, we held negotiations with the bus operators and the departments concerned regarding the bus fare. There was no response from the bus operators in the preliminary meeting called. Hence we have held this symbolic protest. If their attitude of not responding continues, we will change the style of protest."

Rajaram Bhat, the president of Nagarika Kriya Samiti said "The drivers and conductors in private buses get less salaries than the staff in government buses. But they charge more fare. They do not have the same fare for a specified distance, It is sad to see the staff of private buses treating the passengers like animals."

Kurnadu panchayat president Devdas Bhandary, the president of Kurnadu Shakthi Kendra Naveen Padalpady, BJP leader Azgar Ali, JD(S) leader Moideen Siraj, and Abdul Rahiman among others were present during the protest.

The bandh was successful with the bus operators stopping their services without any resistance. The shops were however open. Ambulance services were not affected.