Bharath Bandh to be total in Mangalore

TNN

Mangalore, 30 May 2012: The Bharath Bandh against the recent hike in petrol price is showing signs of being total in this coastal city w ith bus operators’ and auto unions indicating their willingness to shut down their operations on Thursday.

 

With the city chiefly depending on private buses and auto rickshaws for mass transit, commercial establishments will also pull down their shutters in the absence of customers.

 

If the Gen Y is thinking of having fun on bandh day, they will be thoroughly disappointed as the malls here will also be shut. We depend on employees and customers to run the show. If they don’t come, there is no question of opening it. Also we don’t want to risk hooligans taking advantage of the situation and destroying the property,’’ said a mall authority. The only multiplex, Big Cinemas, will start first show of the day at 7 pm. The only place where there wills some semblance of human activity will be government offices.

 

Rajavarma Ballal, president, Canara Bus Operator’s Association, told TOI that they will support the bandh and will not run buses. We too will be affected if the diesel prices are hiked. In a way we will be protesting against proposed diesel hike,’’ he said. Sources said the bus operators’ did not want to be on the wrong side of the government in a government sponsored bandh. Already bus owners have been getting calls from political leaders,’’ a source added.

 

Meanwhile, Congress leaders said they did not want to go against the tide. We are aware of the popular sentiment at this point of time. We will not oppose the bandh call,’’ said a Congress leader.

 

The auto unions, who are also affected by the price hike, will join the strike on Thursday. LT Suvarna, CITU member, said: Almost all will take part in the bandh and we will not ply our vehicles. There may be some autos, not affiliated to Left unions, which may ply.’’

 

Lata Kini, president, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( KCCI) said in case of total shut down of public transport industrial units at Baikamapdy and Yeyyadi will be shut down, barring those who have their own transport to ferry employees.