Bharat bandh: Schools, colleges shut in Dakshina Kannada; bus services to be hit

MANGALURU: With central trade unions calling for a Bharath bandh on January 8 and 9, the bus owners have put the onus on operating buses on its employees giving rise to uncertainty regarding public transport being operational on Tuesday. However, an official statement from DK district deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil S stated that educational institutions in the district will remain closed on both days.

Even Udupi district administration declared a holiday on Tuesday for schools and colleges.

Regarding operating of bus services, Senthil told TOI that another round of talks will be held with bus operators later in the evening.

PC Jaffer, commissioner for public instruction, earlier in the day issued a direction to the district administration to take a call on whether or not to run schools and colleges as safety of students was of utmost priority.

AM Khan, registrar, Mangalore University said since the district deputy commissioner had declared a holiday on Tuesday, all colleges under Mnagalore University will remain closed.

Dilraj Alva, president, Dakshina Kannada District Bus Operators Association said the operation of bus services will entirely depend upon its workforce - drivers and conductors. “We do not know whether they are affiliated to any workers’ union that has called for the bandh. If they arrive at work in the morning (Tuesday), the buses will ply as usual. If not, we will be compelled to suspend services for the day,” he said.

A senior officer from KSRTC echoed Alva. He said the KSRTC staff; mainly drivers and conductors were apprehensive about their safety and hence were unlikely to turn up for work. However, he said, the division will get a clear picture only on Tuesday morning.

The central trade unions have called for a bandh against the alleged repressive policies for workers adopted by the central BJP government.