Unhappy with the Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s government of passing the Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Amendment) Bill and the Land Reforms Act, various farmers’ organisations observed a state-wide bandh in Karnataka on Monday. The day-long bandh call has garnered support from Congress, Janata Dal (Secular), several pro-Kannada and other outfits.
Karnataka bandh latest updates:
- Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene and other organisations protest in front of Sir Puttanna Chetty Town Hall in Bengaluru.
- As the protests against the amendments to the agricultural produce market committee (APMC), land reforms ordinances and labour laws continue, passengers were seen arriving at Majestic Bus Station in Bengaluru to board buses.
- In a bid to stop a bus amid statewide bandh today, protesters staged a sit-in on a road in Hubli.
- In an attempt to garner support amongst the locals, protesting farmers’ organisations offered flowers to shopkeepers in Hubli and requested them to support today’s statewide bandh.
- All India Kisan Sabha and some other organisations staged a protest in front of Hemavathi statue in Hassan and also hold held a bike rally.
- Despite a statewide bandh called by farmers’ organisations, passengers were seen at Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus station in Mangaluru.
Some labour organisations have also extended support to the protest as they are unhappy with certain amendments made in regards to labour laws. The protesters have planned a march from Town Hall to Mysore Bank Circle in Bengaluru. The taxi and auto services are likely to get hit as some transporters have also supported the protesting farmers’ organisations.
While the Yediyurappa has assured that public transport services would not be affected, some protesting organisations have said that they will try to stop bus services and will also try to stop train services.
The farmers’ organisations announced dawn-to-dusk bandh after the state legislative Assembly on September 26 APMC Act and the Land Reforms Act amidst protest by the opposition Congress and JD(S).
My govt is pro-farmers: Karnataka CM Yediyurappa
Commenting on the bandh call, Karnataka CM Yediyurappa on Sunday asserted that his government was pro-farmers and said that there was no ‘scope’ for the agitation.
He issued people that normal life will not be affected due to the protest call and warned against any move to forcefully enforce the bandh.
“I had called leaders of farmers organisations and discussed with them the stand of our government and the desire of the Prime Minister (which) is pro-farmer,” Yediyurappa told reporters.
While claiming that 90 per cent of the farmers are happy with the new ACT, Yediyurappa said, “We have fulfilled the long-standing demand of the farmers. Our farmers’ leaders at least now have to understand the intention, and should drop the bandh call and stop creating unnecessary confusion. There will be no scope for it (bandh).”
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi has warned the protesters against damage of public property and assured the people that government buses would run as usual.
“Services of all four road transport corporations and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation will be available. The Police Department has been requested to provide additional security,” said Savadi.
WhatsApp us