The Karnataka bandh call given by pro-Kannada organisations against the Tamil Nadu government’s opposition to the Mekedatu project evoked a good response in Chitradurga and Davangere districts on Saturday.
Most of the shops and business outlets remained closed and bus services to city and rural areas were affected.
Petrol pumps, private and government banks and government offices remained closed for the whole day. Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and other organisations took out a procession and staged a dharna at Vanai Obavva circle.
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In Davangere, members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike pelted stones at a building housing a branch of Saraswath Bank as it had started its operations as usual. The staff was forcibly sent out and the building was closed. There was also verbal clash between the bank staff and the protesters.
Almost all major markets in the district including, Chowkipeth, Mandipeth, K.R. Market and the APMC wore a deserted look. However, the supply of essential commodities including milk, medicines, ambulance and medical services remained unaffected. The agitators burnt an effigy of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
Private and public transport services were hit in Davangere district.
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