Karnataka Bandh call evokes good response

Bangalore, Oct 4 (UNI) Normal life was disrupted in most parts of Karnataka following the state-wide bandh call given by pro-Kannada organisations in protest against the Centre's alleged 'step-motherly' attitude towards the state on the Belgaum border row with Maharashtra.

The bandh was near total with shops and commercial establishments downed their shutters. Besides, hotels, petrol bunks and cinema halls also remained closed. Only a few city buses were seen on the road. Autorickshaws were off the roads putting travelling public to hardship.

Situation remained peaceful as no untoward incidents were reported from the state in the morning.

Government offices witnessed thin attendance while most of the Banks branches remained closed, while other branches had only a few staff attending work and no customers to serve.

In Bangalore authorities had declared holiday for Schools and Colleges and in many localities school children used the opportunity to play cricket in parks and playgrounds.

Many of the IT and BPO companies in this city, known as Silicon Valley of India, also supported the bandh and downed their shutters.

More than 16,000 additional police force, including Rapid Action Force (RPF), Home guards were deployed to maintain law and order mainly in the city. The police have also requisitioned forces from neighbouring states, mainly from Tamil Nadu to maintain peace during the bandh.

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