Belthangady: Mixed response to DK Bandh over Suhas murder; stones pelting, tire fires reported
Belthangady: The Dakshina Kannada district bandh called by the Sangh Parivar in protest against the murder of rowdy sheeter Suhas Shetty received a mixed response in Belthangady taluk on Saturday. While most shops and commercial establishments remained shut, private vehicles continued to ply on the roads as usual.
The bandh supporters staged demonstrations at various locations in the taluk, expressing their anger by setting tires ablaze on the roads. Incidents of tire burning were reported from areas including Kakkinj, Mundaje, and Gerukatte.
A private bus near Guruvayankare Jainpet was targeted with stones. The front windshield of the vehicle was completely shattered in the attack. No injuries were reported.
Commercial activity came to a halt in major towns and villages such as Ujire, Belthangady, Guruvayankare, Madanthyaru, Aladangady, Kokkad, and Dharmasthala, with shops and business outlets closed. A few hotels had opened briefly in the morning hours but later downed their shutters in support of the bandh.
Transport services witnessed partial disruption. While KSRTC buses operated on local routes within the taluk and from Dharmasthala to other districts, services to Mangaluru were halted for the day. Private vehicles, however, moved around freely without major hindrance.
The police had deployed personnel in sensitive areas of the taluk to maintain law and order and ensure the bandh did not escalate into violence.
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Rahul Gandhi to go on two-day Raebareli visit from May 19
Raebareli (UP) (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Raebareli Rahul Gandhi will arrive here on May 19 on a two-day visit, a Congress office-bearer said on Monday.
Congress district president of Raebareli Pankaj Tiwari said that on the first day, Gandhi will inaugurate a marriage hall at Thakurain Kheda in Bachhrawan. Subsequently, he will address a public meeting in Khiron. In Lalganj, he will participate in a 'mahila samvaad' programme.
He further said that on May 20, he will meet the public during a 'Janata Darshan' programme at the Bhuyemau Guest House. Following this, he will participate in the unveiling of a statue of Veera Pasi and attend a public meeting in Lodhwari.
He will then depart for Amethi.
In Amethi, Gandhi will hold meetings with party functionaries, workers and senior leaders at the party's district headquarters, Congress district unit chief Pradeep Singhal said on Sunday.
According to political observers, this meeting would form a part of the strategic preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, alongside an organisational review.
Discussions during the meeting are likely to focus on strengthening the party organisation down to the booth level, increasing participation of youth and women workers, and accelerating public outreach campaigns across villages.
According to sources, a large number of party workers -- from Gram Sabha to the district level -- have been invited to attend the meeting.
Gandhi is expected to interact directly with workers.
During the one-day visit, the Congress leader will also travel to Poore Ramdeen Pandit -- the native village of late Congress district president Yogendra Mishra -- to meet his family members.
Mishra, considered a close associate of the Gandhi family, passed away on March 1 following a prolonged illness.
Political activities in the district have intensified ahead of Gandhi's visit, and party workers have already started making arrangements for his reception.
Kishori Lal Sharma, the Congress MP from Amethi, is also holding regular meetings with local leaders and functionaries to review the preparations.
