Chikkamagaluru bandh over Pahalgam violence receives mixed response

Chikkamagaluru: Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal called for a bandh against the Pahalgam terror attack by extremists, and the murder of right-wing activist Suhas Shetty in Dakshina Kannada, which evoked a good response in the district on Monday.

While shops and establishments in Chikkamagaluru remained closed for the day, shops in residential areas were open. Traders on MG Road, Market Road, and IG Road supported the bandh by keeping their shops shut even after 10 am.

The bandh also evoked a good response in taluks. Shops were closed in Mudigere, Kottigehara, Koppa, Sringeri, Kalasa, and NR Pura. Transportation, including buses and auto-rickshaws, operated normally. Govt offices and colleges were open, however, a few schools remained closed. The bandh evoked a poor response in Kadur, Ajjampura, and Tarikere, where shops were open as usual.

The district administration warned that action would be taken if anyone attempted to enforce the bandh forcibly. With the bandh call, district police beefed up security across the district and additional measures were taken in communally sensitive areas.

Police took a few people into custody and detained more than ten activists who attempted to protest, in Hanumanthappa Circle, Chikkamagaluru. They were released later, and no untoward incidents were reported, and no forceful bandh was reported, said the police.