Mangalore, July 5: Most of the leftist as well as the right wing parties have given a call for a nationwide bundh on July 5, Monday in protest against the hike in the prices of petroleum products. As a result, one can witness empty streets, fewer people, and closed shops in the city.
Buses, including school vehicles, are not plying. Software companies based in the city are operating with a minimum staff; and Infosys has requested its employees to work on Saturday to compensate for today’s unexpected holiday. Schools and colleges are closed, while medical stores, which are exempted from participating in the strike, are operating with partially closed doors.
A large number of organizations, including labour organizations and vehicle owners and drivers’ organizations are supporting the call for the bundh. The DK City Bus Owners’ Association and DK Bus Owners’ Association will not will not ply because of the lack of passengers.
The DK district police as well as the Mangalore Commissionerate have intensified their efforts to maintain law and order in the district with the help of platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and Home Guards specially summoned for the purpose, said Superintendent of Police Dr. A. Subrahmanyeshwar Rao.
Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said that the commissionerate has borrowed the services of KSRP platoons, 50 vehicles, and 200 home guards. The Udupi police have also intensified their efforts to maintain law and order today.