Shivamogga: Sagar town bandh called by the Karnataka Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene to protest against the privatisation of the power distribution sector was largely successful on Monday. From early morning, most shops, commercial establishments, hotels and arecanut trading centres remained completely closed, with only medical stores staying open to provide essential services.However, the movement of autorickshaws, private vehicles and state road transport buses continued as usual throughout the day. Govt offices, banks and schools also operated without experiencing any disruptions to their daily activities.The protest received support from a diverse group of organisations. These included arecanut growers, industrial and labour unions, bus and hotel owners’ associations, merchant guilds and the local advocates’ association.Led by Dinesh Shiravala of the KRRS, the demonstration took place from 9am till evening. The protest march commenced from the Mahaganapathi Temple and made its way through key commercial stretches, including Market Road, BH Road, Ashoka Road and the Sagar Hotel Circle.Following the rally, the demonstrators marched to the assistant commissioner’s (AC) office to submit an official memorandum addressed to the govt. In the memorandum, the protesters urged the administration to drop the proposal to privatise the electricity sector and demanded immediate measures to protect the long-term interests of both farmers and the general public.
