Two-day strike: Mixed response in Karnataka

Bangalore, 20 Feb 2013 (DHNS/PTI): The two-day strike across India, called by the 11 trade unions, received mixed response in Karnataka on day one.  Barring stray incidents of stone pelting in Bellary, the nationwide strike was peaceful in the state.

 

In Bangalore, no untoward incidents were reported. Shops and educational institutes remained closed, while state transport services operated lesser number of buses, said sources. Except a few, autos were off roads but there was no disruption in train and airport cab services.

 

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Managing Director told reporters that 80 buses were plying in the city and no incident of violence had been reported from anywhere. Services at various hospitals were not affected, as also in Information Technology companies, many of whose employees worked from home, sources said. Security has been tightened across the state, with 17,000 policemen being deployed in Bangalore itself.VTU have postponed all their exams scheduled to be held on Wednesday and Thursday. The rescheduled dates will be announced later.

 

Sources said some persons pelted stones at a few buses and blocked roads in Bellary while normal life was hit in Koppal, with buses, autorickshaws and other transport off the roads. CITU and other trade unions held huge protest in Gulbarga. In Davangere, a minor clash took place as the protesters blocked the autos which are not participating in the two-day strike.