The Hindu Business Line : Mixed response to bandh in Karnataka

BANGALORE: The BJP-sponsored Karnataka bandh on Thursday evoked a mixed response. It was by and large business as usual for banks, private and public sector offices, while traders in some areas shut shop, fearing violence. Some private schools declared a holiday.

Officials said the bus services of the outbound Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and the local Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation were unaffected and the buses plied as usual. The BJP was protesting against the State Government's decision not to withdraw criminal cases against Ms Uma Bharti, who on Monday resigned as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

She is currently in judicial custody in Hubli for 14 days until September 7. The case was filed against her over a flag-hoisting incident on Republic Day of 1994 at Hubli's disputed Idgah Maidan. Earlier in the day, the State BJP President and former Union Minister, Mr H. N. Ananth Kumar, the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Mr B.S. Yediyurappa, and several party workers were arrested for blocking traffic at a busy junction in the city. Police officials said it was largely peaceful except for a few stray cases of stone throwing at buses and that 250 people were arrested for trying to disrupt law and order in the city.