Farmers Movement Archive

Poor response to farmers’ bandh call in Old Mysuru

Mysuru: The dawn to the dusk bandh call given by various farmers’ organizations and labour unions failed to evoke a response among the public in old Mysuru region. KSRTC buses, trains, autos and transport services weren’t affected by the protest. Most shops remained open. APMC was almost shut as farmers didn’t supply any produce. In Mysuru, activists gathered near Townhall at 6.30am and took out a procession to the suburban bus stand and later to the city bus stand to stop bus movement. Hundreds of activists participated in the procession demanding the withdrawal of contentious farm laws. Police had made elaborated security arrangements and restricted vehicular movement due to the protest. All major roads connecting the city bus stand were turned in to one-ways to avoid traffic jams. Except for the shops located on either side of the Dasara procession route, a majority of shops remained open. Only a few shops were shut at the iconic Devaraja market. Vehicle movement on the Madikeri-Mysuru-Mandya-Bengaluru route was unaffected except for a brief period in the morning after a few activists blocked the road at Srirangapatna and Maddur in Mandya district. In Chamarajanagar, the bandh received a mixed response. Except in Gundlupet and Kollegal, the bandh failed to evoke any response in other towns. Raitha Sangha members took out a procession in all taluks and the district headquarters. In Kollegal and Gundlupet, many hotels and shops were closed till afternoon. The bandh didn’t affect normal life in Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts. However, APMCs were closed in support of the bandh. Raitha Sangha leaders from villages in Shivamogga carried out a bike rally in the morning and Kannada organizations joined hands for a protest near KSRTC and private bus stands. Shops and commercial complexes remained open. Raitha Sangha leaders gathered at Mahaveer Circle to extend thanks to the people who supported the bandh. In Chikkamagaluru, farmers’ leaders and left party leaders took out a rally on MG and IG Roads. In Hassan, the bandh failed to evoke any response. In the morning supporters of the bandh asked hotel owners to shut down the business. Later all business activities resumed. The Mangaluru-Hassan-Bengaluru Road was open for traffic. In Mandya district too, the bandh received a poor public response. Even though the Raitha Sangha and likeminded organizations held protests from hobli level to the district level, public life was normal. Business activities were unaffected. Agitators blocked the Mysuru-Bengaluru Road in Srirangapatna and Maddur for some time as part of the protest.

The Times of India

2021-09-28

Mysuru