Mangalore: Bandh Likely to Throw Life Out of Gear on Jul 3
- Private buses, vans and autorickshaws may not ply
- Over 600 police personnel will be on security duty
- People told to call police control rooms on 2220555 and 2220500 in case of problems
MANGALORE, Jul 3: Private buses may remain off the road on Thursday following a nationwide bandh call given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The Dakshina Kannada police said that steps had been taken to maintain law and order.
Autorickshaws are also unlikely to ply, according to Ivan D’Souza, leader of the Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union.
The VHP is protesting the action of the Jammu and Kashmir Government to revoke its decision to transfer 39.88 hectares of forest land to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board for creating facilities for pilgrims.
President of the Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators’ Association, Jayaram Sheka, said that the chances of buses operating on Thursday were pretty slim. Stating that the bus owners would take a decision after assessing the situation on Thursday, Mr. Sheka pointed out that as miscreants targeted buses in the past, bus owners were wary of operating services. “Even people are unlikely to venture out,” he said.
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Private van drivers, who pick up and drop schoolchildren, are also unlikely to operate. Additional Superintendent of Police S.N. Siddaramappa told The Hindu that over 600 police personnel would be on security duty from 6 a.m.
“We have positioned five platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police and eight platoons of District Armed Reserve at all strategic locations,” he said. In addition, police personnel and senior and sub-divisional police officers would go on rounds, he said.
Discussions
Siddaramappa said that the Police Department held discussions with the organisers of the bandh and leaders of various political parties and religious groups to ensure that no attempt was made to disrupt law and order. The department would take strict action against anyone trying to create trouble or force people to participate in the bandh. He said that station house officers had been asked to keep strict tabs on anti-social elements in their respective jurisdiction. “Such people have already been warned against indulging in any unlawful acts during the bandh,” he said.
Siddaramappa called upon the people to contact the city and district police control rooms on 2220555 and 2220500 if there was any problem.
On Wednesday, VHP supporters took out a motorbike rally in the city in support of the bandh. They sought the support of business establishments and people.
Exam as scheduled
The pre-university supplementary English examination will be held as per schedule on Thursday.
Deputy Director of PU Education R. Basavarajappa said: “I have received no information from the nodal office in Bangalore about postponing the examination.”
Over 2,000 students in the district are to appear for the examination at eight centres across the district.