Mangalore: ‘Bharat Bandh’ affects normal life in the city

By John V. Tauro, Mangalore
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 31 May 2012: The effect of the NDA sponsored ‘Bharat Bandh’ affected normal life in the city of Mangalore. The raods were practically empty with few private vehicles venturing out. Public transport system was completely off the road for fear of being damaged by the enforcers of bandh. KSRTC buses were also not found on the road. When this reporter asked the officials as to why the government buses are not plying, they replied that the KSRTC buses are the property of the people and they should not come under attack and damage by unruly mobs. However, they said that after 6pm there is a possibility of the buses hitting the road.

 

When inquired with some of the people whether they justified the bandh, some of them said that  they were in favour of the bandh as the steep hike in the petrol price has affected them as they have to spend additional amount on the petrol which has upset their monthly budget. Others feel that the bandh is a political gimmick and it would further damage the national economy as it has caused disruption of business and production. The loss suffered by industry and business for the day throughout the country may run into thousands of crores.  Moreover, the bandh may not result in the rolling back of the petrol prices by the central government. When  the same question was posed to the people manning petrol pumps, they said that they neither supported nor opposed the bandh.

 

 

 

The police force was found at sensitive areas to see to it that untoward incidents and violence did not take place. People waiting to go to different places at the bus stand said that they would not support such bandh. However, they were of the opinion that as any increase in fuel price would have a cascading effect on the prices of commodities that would affect the common man, the government  should have been careful in increasing the piece of petrol to such an extent.

 

This reporter found a number of people in the Passport office who had come in their private vehicles to get their work done. It is gratifying to note that the bandh was quite peaceful in Mangalore. Those patients going to the hospital and attending marriage functions did not face any difficulties. It seems that better senses have prevailed among the organizers of the bandh.

 

As the bandh was announced earlier, people had anticipated the problems that they would face and have accordingly had their contingency plan in place.  However, those who had booked their tickets much in advance in trains and long distance buses had a tough time. Many of them had made alternative arrangement for their travel by adjusting their day of journey.