North Karnataka shuts down to protest petrol price hike

HUBLI: The nationwide bandh called by the NDA and Left parties to protest against hike in petrol prices on Thursday paralyzed normal life in Hubli. The bandh evoked good response in the city with most business establishments, educational institutions and theatres remained closed till evening. Buses and autorickshwas were stayed off the roads.Two government buses were pelted with stones near the railway station and at Ishwar Nagar. However, no casualties were reported. A two-wheeler was also burnt at Durgad Bail in the city. Protesters burnt tyres at Chennamma Circle, Akshay Park Circle, Manjunath Nagar and other areas. BJP members took out a bicycle procession through the main roads. Autorickshaw drivers also took out the procession seeking rollback of petrol price hike.HAVERIThe bandh evoked mixed response in Haveri district. It was business as usual at Haveri weekly market and commercial shops in the town. The bandh did not affect bus services also. However, all schools remained closed as per the order of DDPI.BELGAUMThe bandh was peaceful in Belgaum. Most business establishments, hotels, theatres, petrol bunks, schools and colleges remained closed. KSRTC buses and autorickshaws were off the roads. There was lot of confusion among students and parents as there was no instruction from the education department regarding the functioning of schools.In some market areas, BJP activists were seen forcing shop owners to close the shops. Activists took out a protest rally from Nargundkar Bhave Chowk and returned to the same place after proceeding through Maruti Galli, Ramdev Galli, Khade Bazar and Central bus stand. A human chain was formed at the central bus stand and a rasta roko was held.DHARWADPeople of Dharwad district responded positively to the bandh. Passengers coming from far off places to Dharwad were off loaded on the outskirts of the city and were forced to walk the distance to reach their destination. When police offered to help the buses reach their destination, drivers of many buses refused to enter the city saying they had been directed by the owners not to expose the vehicles to damage.Those depending on eateries for their breakfast and lunch had to remain without food as all the outlets were closed. Petrol pumps also remained closed causing hardship to long distance commuters.The BJP under the leadership of MP Prahlad Joshi took out a procession from Subhas road to the DC's office and submitted a memorandum to DC Darpan Jain. Heavy security arrangements under the supervision of ACP Sanjeev Patil ensured that there were no untoward incidents.CHITRADURGAThe bandh was total in Chitradurga and six taluk centres in the district. All shops and business establishments, schools and colleges and the APMC market were closed. KSRTC and private buses were off the roads.