The Hindu Business Line : Mangalore bandh affects SSIs

While small industries and daily-wage earners are the worst hit in the bandh and curfew in Mangalore for the past three days, the major industries in the region are managing their operations with the available staff.

However, all of them and the common man in Mangalore want the normalcy to return and to continue with their day-to-day functions.

Mr Giridhar Prabhu, Proprietor of Achal Industries and former President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told Business Line that the small industries and daily-wage earners suffered heavy losses in the past three days. These sectors suffered a loss of over Rs 100 crore.

"The estimated wage loss is about Rs 7 crore per day and the output loss is nearly Rs 30 crore per day. Supplies are running out for daily wagers and the city is dependent on other areas for its supplies,'' he added.

Thin attendance

When contacted, sources in the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) said that they did not face much problem at the port, though attendance was quite low "We witnessed 16 per cent absents on Saturday. Most of the staff and workers stay in the nearby township,'' a source said.

Iron ore cargo, which has been stored in the stack yard, is being loaded to ships. There is no fresh arrival of iron ore due to the bandh and curfew.

Sources in Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) said that, so far, the operation of the plant has not been affected, though attendance is weak. Of the total staff strength, nearly 70 per cent stay in the township. The rest are from in and around Mangalore. "However, the situation should get back to normalcy soon. So far we are carrying on our operations,'' a source said.

Violence flares up

Mangalore witnessed bandhs for two consecutive days on Thursday and Friday following calls given by some right wing organisations over various issues.

During the bandh period, violence flared up in Mangalore and other parts of Dakshina Kannada district. Following this, curfew was imposed in Ullal, Konaje and Deralakatte areas in Mangalore taluk on Friday evening. Curfew was imposed in the city on Saturday morning.

Curfew imposed

Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, Mr B.S. Sial, Director-General of Police, said that relaxation in curfew depends on people's cooperation.

Curfew might be lifted for an hour or two on Sunday.

So far, one person died and nearly 50 were injured in the communal clash in Mangalore.

Mangalore city and surrounding areas came to a standstill following the imposition of curfew. The whole area wore a deserted look, and not even a single person, except police, was seen on the road.

Railway and air travellers faced a lot of problems as there were no vehicles in the city throughout the day.

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