BELGAUM: The bandh called by pro-Marathi organisations like Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti and Swaraj Sangthana affected normal life in Belgaum district on Sunday.
The bandh witnessed mixed response in Belgaum and Nippani towns. Nine buses were pelted with stones in which one driver was hurt. Six buses were damaged in Alarwad, College Road, SPM Road, Bogarves, RPD Cross and Jad Shahapur in Belgaum taluk and three in Khanapur taluk.
Stone pelting incidents were also reported from Ganpat Galli, Gandhi Nagar and Khasbag. Miscreants also removed the banner of a Kannada organisation near Kapileshwar temple.
Police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse a group of about hundred people at Chavat galli in morning, and arrested arrested three people for stone pelting.
Most of the commercial establishments in the city market area were closed. However, public movement was normal. Even after the attack on buses, some NWKSRTC were seen on the roads. The number of auto rickshaws was low.
Petrol pumps, malls and theatres functioned normally.
In Nippani, vehicular movement was less than normal, and a few shops opened in the evening.