VHP sponsored Bharat bandh evokes mixed response in K'taka

Bangalore, Jul 3 (UNI) The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) sponsored 'Bharat Bandh', called to protest the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) land issue in Jammu and Kashmir, evoked mixed response in Karnataka today.

Barring minor incidents of stone throwing, the situation was peaceful. Although buses remained off the roads in some parts of the state, normal life was not affected entirely. Train services were also not affected in the entire state.

Due to withdrawal of the bus service, students attending Pre-University examinations were put to hardship. A group of 50 students who went late to the examination hall were sent back by the authorities in Kolar town.

The bandh was near total in BJP strongholds like the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, apart from Mysore, Davangere, Chitradurga and Belgaum. However, it evoked poor response mainly in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region like Gulbarga, Raichur and Bidar districts.

In Bangalore, the bandh call received mixed response. While most of the business establishments were closed in some areas, it had no effect in Down town, Cantonment and business districts. The BMTC city bus service plied normally and a majority of schools were open.

Director General of Police R Sri Kumar told UNI no untoward incident was reported from any part of the Sstate. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to maintain peace, he said.

MORE UNI TEAM-RS SR PY KN1523