Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Benglauru, Sep 25: The farmers protest call given all over the country to protest against the Farm Bills that are believed to be against the interests of the farmers, has got good response all over Karnataka. Protests were held all across the state, as a precursor to the Karnataka bandh called on September 28.

However, while farmer leader Kuruburu Shantakumar said that there are as many as 60 entry points across Bengaluru, lack of unanimity among farmers associations came to the fore when another prominent farmer leader Kodihalli Chandrashekhar asserted that their group did not support Friday's protest.

In the city, the farmers, supported by organizations for Dalits and workers, held protests at various spots, and blocked the roads. A large numer of protesters also come together at Mysore Bank circle located in the heart of the city. Over 40 farmers who had blocked the road at Goragunte Palya Junction were taken into custody by the police.

As a precautionary measure, additional security measures have been taken at various points in the city in view of the protest planned by farmer organizations. A large number of policemen have been posted at places like Maurya Circle, Race Course Road, Anand Rao Circle, Chalukya Road, K G Road etc where large scale protests were expected. This measure was taken to avoid traffic jams which could have occured in case of protest. A number of BMTC buses were stationed at these spots to carry protesters in case they were taken into custody.

Large crowds of farmers from different districts have poured into the city. A mega protest was held at Mysore Bank circle where a group of farmers led by Kurubur Shantakumar. Another group led by Kodihalli Chandrashekhar too reached there later.

Protest led by Kannada Sene state president, K G Kumar, was held at NICE road Junction at Madavara Junction. Farmers who stopped vehicles going towards Nelamangala at Goragunte Palya were arrested. An attempt made by farmers to block Mysuru highway at Nayandahalli was foiled by the lolice.

The protests were held against the state and central government enactments which the farmers believe are against their interests. The protests were held symbolically, and the Karnataka bandh planned on September 28 is expected to be on a bigger scale in the state.