A violent protest against the spiralling fuel prices

MANGALORE: On Monday many buses, auto rickshaws and other vehicles were damaged in the city when the opposition parties started to observe the bandh to protest against the spiralling fuel prices.

Stones were pelted at long distance buses from Hebbal, Bangalore and other places on arrival in the city. Panes of few KSRTC and private buses were damaged in the stone pelting incidents reported at Surathkal, Pumpwell and other places.

An auto rickshaw driver was allegedly threatened and his vehicle was damaged at Mannagudda.

Unused vehicle tyres were burnt on the street near Bendoorwell in the city and other places in the outskirts in the early morning.

Meanwhile, an instance of stone pelting was reported at a restaurant in the city. Owner of the restaurant in Shivbagh has obtained the CCTV footage which shows an unidentified person pelting stones.

Buses, auto rickshaws, cabs and all commercial vehicles remained off the road. Schools, colleges and all educational institutions in the city remained closed as the deputy commissioner S Sasikanth had declared a holiday in view of law and order of the situation and to prevent untoward incidents. Though many government offices and banks remained open, it functioned with skeletal strength.

Leaders of various opposition political parties held a protest rally from Hampankatta to the deputy commissioner’s in the city to mark their protest against fuel inflation. Protesters in the rally led by MLC Ivan D’Souza shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded the government to decrease fuel prices.