Goa 'Bandh' Passes, peacefully

Panaji, Oct 20 (UNI) Barring stray incidents of stone pelting and lathi-charge by police to disperse miscreants, the statewide 'Bandh', called by Goa Mandir Surakasha Samiti against the recent vandalisation of temples in the state, was peaceful.

BJP leader Manohar Parrikar, who also supported the 'Bandh', while speaking to mediapersons here, thanked the people ''for voluntarily shutting down their commercial activities, including transport.

The voluntary involvement of the people in the 'bandh' proved that the Goa government is at fault, Mr Parrikar said, adding there was no major violence in the state as people were not being forced to close their establishments and commercial activities.

Except state-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation buses and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses, all other private transports, including buses, mini buses, Taxies and Auto Rickshaws were off the roads, hitting the tourists, who arrived in the state this morning, as they were left stranded at various bus stands.

According to police, 12 people were arrested from Mapusa in North Goa for pelting stones at the Kadamba buses. In all, three to four Kadamba Transport Corporation buses were hit with stones and their glasses damaged.

Police, mwanwhile, resorted to lathi-charge in Mapusa, following a clash between two groups over a new construction in the city.

Markets across the state wore a deserted look, as small shop owners, fruit, vegetable and fish vendors did not turn up. Even petrol pump owners voluntarily supported the 'bandh'.

The 'bandh' was completely peaceful in the capital city and Margao in South Goa.

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