Farmers, members of various organisations staged a protest at Koppa. The protest was attended by MLA T D Rajegowda, MP Kota Srinivas Poojary and others.
Credit: DH Photo
Chikkamagaluru: The bandh called by the Malenadu Nagarika Raitha Hitharakshana Samithi in the Sringeri constituency—covering Sringeri, N.R. Pura, Koppa taluks, Balehonnur, and Khandya—received good response on Saturday.
The bandh was aimed to draw the government's attention to issues such as clearing of encroachments and other pressing concerns affecting the Malnad region.
Most business establishments, with the exception of medical shops, remained closed in support of the bandh. Schools, colleges, banks, and hotels in NR Pura were also shut down. Public transportation, including autos and buses, was halted.
In Koppa, farmers and like-minded organisations held a convention attended by MLA T D Rajegowda, MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, former MLA DN Jeevraj, and others.
Protesters declared that they would not allow the clearing of encroachments under any circumstances.
MP Kota Srinivas Poojary stated, "Efforts should be made to convince the central and state governments. A delegation of all parties, led by MLA T D Raje gowda, should work to persuade the state government. I will lead a delegation to the central government to make our case."
MLA T D Rajegowda added, "It is the growers who have preserved the environment in Malnad. I will take responsibility for leading an all-party delegation to meet with the Chief Minister and Forest Minister."
The bandh's impact in the Sringeri constituency extended to Mudigere as well. Private bus services from Mudigere to Balehonnur were suspended, leaving schoolchildren and the public stranded.
With only private bus services available to Balehonnur, residents of villages such as Bidarahalli, Kenjige, Banalli, Kannagere, Bharathibail, B Hosalli, Hokkalli, Kundoor, Saragodu, Hosampura, and Gabgal faced significant inconvenience. Without bus services, schoolchildren had to rely on cars and other private vehicles to return home.
Students from schools in Kundoor and Gabgal were seen walking along the road.