Hundreds of people took to the streets here as part of a massive protest rally condemning the increase in crimes against women and children.
The protesters, led by Kannada Okkoota leader Vatal Nagaraj, raised slogans, held placards and waved flags.
Vatal Nagaraj and other Kannada leaders, who met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after the protest, said that they wanted rapists to be booked under the Goonda Act. They said that the Act had not been discussed comprehensively by the authorities.
Mr. Nagaraj criticised the BMTC authorities for allowing buses to ply on roads.
Traffic snarlsWith activists of Kannada organisations staging protests and taking out processions during the 12-hour bandh, the city witnessed traffic snarls.
All roads leading to Town Hall were choked as most of the protesters converged there.
They marched towards Mysore Bank circle and culminated at the Freedom Park. As they reached the Mysore Bank circle, the road from the junction towards Palace Road was cordoned off. Traffic restrictions were removed only at 2 p.m. when the protests concluded at Freedom Park.
Earlier in the day, members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike took out a protest march from Malleswaram towards Town Hall. This obstructed traffic movement on Bellary Road.
