Pics: Spoorthi Ullal / Ramesh Pandith / Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Updated
Mangaluru, Nov 13: The bandh call given by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the district has received total response. Vehicles including buses and auto rickshaws are off the roads. Towns and market places wore deserted look.
Sporadic incidents were reported from some parts of the city. Four buses parked at Pumpwell were stoned at damaged by miscreants. Tyres were burnt in various parts of Bantwal taluk, including in Vittal, BC Road and Kalladka.
Some shops in various parts of the city like Bajal and Market Road that had opened for business were shut down by the police, as Section 144 is in place. The police also imposed nakabandi.
In Ullal limits, two buses were stoned near Mudipu and banners conveying Tipu Jayanti wishes put up near Kuthar junction were torn. All shops across Ullal constituency remained closed, and roads remained deserted with public transport coming to a halt.
The police led by ACP Kalyan Shetty went about closing down shops in Thokkottu, but when they shut down even medical shops and newspaper stalls, the locals began protesting. Earlier during bandhs, medical shops and newspaper stalls used to remain open, but this time they were closed by the police themselves. The locals alleged that by doing so, the police had shown support to the bandh called by VHP and Bajrang Dal. ACP Kalyan Shetty then tried the crowd assuring that the medical shops would be opened, but till afternoon, they continued to remain shut.
Ullal
Bantwal
Mangaluru
The call for bandh was given after a youth named Harish was stabbed to death near BC Road on the night of Thursday November 13, and also to protest against the violence and death of a VHP leader in Madikeri during Tipu Jayanti celebrations.
Holiday has been declared for schools and colleges. With section 144 in place for three days, only some private vehicles are moving around. People, who were already affected by a day's auto rickshaw protest, are compelled to walk to their destinations as public transport is not available. There have, however, been minor incidents like burning of tyres at Bikkarnakatte, Padua, and Ullal.
Tight security is in place. Police vehicles have been moving around the city, warning the people through the public address system mounted on vehicles not to form crowds. The situation has remained peaceful since the morning.