Bhatkal: The entire Bhatkal is hugely seen under the effect of Bandh which was called upon by the social organization of Bhatkal, Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem, as a part of the protest against the Kannada Daily Kannada Prabha which had published an ill-intentioned and anti-social report regarding Bhatkal and its Muslim society. The entire town is under the deserted look, the vehicles off the roads, abandoned market places, closed shops and shut business establishments. A very few auto-rickshaws and the tempos which are seen on the roads, are without any passengers. The auto-rickshaws on the auto-stand outside the bus stand and the Shamshuddin Circle are devoid of any customers.







The youth who were allocated by the area-wise committees for supervision, to keep the bandh undisturbed were seen active with their jobs. Not even a single Muslim youth was seen on the street, nor any woman or kid.

A few of women fish vendors were trying to sell their fishes in the fish market, but to their disappointment, there are no buyers in the market today, which otherwise is jam-packed on normal days.



The closed schools and colleges have also helped in bandh becoming totally effective.

The present situation has given the message that today’s Bandh has become totally successful. A few countable shops were seen open without any business, but all the others, including all the hotels opposite to the KSRTC bus stand have remained closed.

The additional police force has been deployed in the town for the atmosphere to remain peaceful.

The first vice president of Tanzeem Mr. SM Parvez and the General Secretary Altaf Kharuri are effectively supervising the entire situation and are continuously in contact with the youths of all the areas. They have requested the entire population to remain calm and observe peace, avoiding any kind of disturbances, and also to approach them directly in case of any need.



It should not be forgotten that many social organizations of Bhatkal had provided its total support to the Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem in carrying out the Bandh successfully. Among them are the Congress, JD(S), CPI (M), Contactor’s Sangha, Rotary Club, Christian Community, Moger Community, Bhatkal Citizen Forum, Auto Driver’s Association and various others. The Tanzeem had sent the written request to all the organizations asking for their support, which was accepted by almost all of them. The joint support from all these organizations has helped the Tanzeem in achieving the success which was expected out of the Bandh.

Today’s display of unity in making the Bandh successful has given out a message that all the Bhatkali’s are united despite of all the differences, and the borders of caste and creed play negligible role in any matters. The external anti-social forces trying to divide the people of the town on the religious grounds and create hatred among the folks would only meet with disappointment without any greater results.

The Bhatkal Majlis-e-Islah-o-Tanzeem has thanked all the organizations and individuals for their tremendous support, without which today’s Bandh would not have fetched the desired results.

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