Udupi bandh evokes mixed response; anti-toll agitators defy ban order

Udupi, Feb 13: The ‘Udupi bandh’ sponsored by the ‘Toll Virodhi Horata Samiti’ opposing toll collection at the plazas at Hejmady and Sasthan in the coastal district has evoked mixed response on Monday.

Even though city buses and auto-rickshaws were plying as usually in the morning, Mangaluru and Kundapur bound buses had to suspend their trips when the protest intensified.

Hundreds of agitators took part in a protest march from Padubidri gram panchayat office to Hejamady toll plaza.

The protesters apparently violated the prohibitory orders clamped by the district administration under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Udupi taluk, Udupi city municipality and a two-kilometre radius of NH 66, from Thekkatte to Shiroor, from Sunday midnight to Monday midnight.

Police had to detain the protesters near Padubidri for violation of prohibitory orders. The protesters were bundled into police vehicles and were taken the station, where they were confined till evening.

T. Venkatesh, Deputy Commissioner, had earlier warned that forceful stoppage of buses, shutting down of business establishments or blocking of National Highway will not be tolerated and stern legal action would be taken against those indulging in such acts.

Shops in the vicinity of Padubidri panchayat closed fearing violence during the protest. However, most of the shops and offices across the district remained open. Diwakar Shetty, Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), said that no holiday was announced for schools. “The local headmasters will decide on holiday depending on the situation,” he said.

K. Suresh Nayak, Secretary of Canara Bus Operators Association, said that the association did not back the bandh and will run private inter-district buses and private city bus service in Udupi.