Bandh gets mixed response in NK

Hubballi / Dharwad: The ‘Karnataka bandh’ call given by various farmers’ organisations, labour unions and opposition parties against amendments to the Land Reforms Act, APMC Act and other legislations evoked mixed response in Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Vijayapura and other districts of North Karnataka on Monday.
Several business establishments including hotels, vegetable and fruit shops, provision stores and public transport remained open.Business at banks, LIC, post offices and other government offices was normal.
Normal life in Hubballi was not affected as private vehicles, BRTS, NKRTC buses and some auto rickshaws were seen operating. However, bus service on certain routes was suspended.
Trading at APMC yard was suspended while some shopkeepers in the main market area closed their establishments to avoid any untoward incident.
The massive rallies by farmers’ organisations and trade unions were restricted to KC Circle in HUbballi, where protestors burnt an effigy of PM Narendra Modi.
Though protesters requested bus drivers and others to stop bus service, there was no break in service. Mahesh Pattar of AITUC said, “Due to short notice for the bandh, we failed to reach many people, but we will continue to protest the anti-farmers policies.”
Members of Congress, JD(S) and Aam Aadmi Party also protested. Rajanna Koravi of JD (S) and Anil Kumar Patil, Hubballi-Dharwad Congress president submitted a memorandum at the tahsildar office.
In Dharwad, members of as many as 50 organisations and opposition parties took out a rally from Kadapa Maidan to the DC’s office.
Members of the APMC Merchants’ Association, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkar), Raitha Sangha, Hasiru Sene, Akhila Karnataka Raitha Sangha, AIDSO, AIDYO, AIMS and others blocked NH-4 near Narendra toll gate. Traffic was disrupted near Jubilee Circle as protestors blocked the road and formed a human chain.
SR Hiremath of Janatantra Samaj, Congress leader PH Neeralakeri, APMC Merchants’ Association president Shivashankar Hampannavar, and other farmer leaders spoke.
DCP (law and order) P Krishnakant said no untoward incidents were reported in the Hubballi and the bandh was peaceful.
Normal life was not affected in Davanagere. The bandh evoked a good response in Hospete where protesters blocked the main thoroughfares and most of the shops were closed. Bus services were halted after protesters stormed the bus stand.