Tourists visiting Mysuru were completely caught off guard when they saw locked gates at Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Karanji Lake, Chamundi Hills and other places due to the announcement of Bandh call by the BJP following the murder of their party worker Raju.
Unaware of the bandh call, tourists started thronging the above places around 10 am but had to return disappointed to their lodges after hearing the news. As most of these tourists had come with a planned itinerary from far off places they were at a loss not knowing what to do next or how to spend the rest of the day.
Unfazed by the hot sun, the tourists were seen waiting near the entrance of the Zoo even upto 2 pm, hoping that the bandh would be called off anytime.
Nearly 150 tourists who had come from Andhra Pradesh were seen stranded in front of the Zoo as one of them said: “We came around 10 am and are waiting for entry. It will be sad if we return without watching the famed Zoo. But women in our group are scared hearing of violence.'
Another tourist named Sharmeela said: 'We have come from Hassan and had plans to visit Mysore Palace and Zoo. With the sudden bandh call all our plans have changed. Added to this there is no bus services to continue our journey.' The Zoo officials said that the tourists were allowed after 2.30 pm, with quite a good number of people were waiting since morning.
But the tourists visiting Palace were lucky. Officials in the Palace Board said as they had not received any instructions tourists were allowed entry and everything was going on smoothly. While those planning to visit KRS and Chamundi Hills shelved their plans following fear of violence and few because of cancellation of bus services.
Chandresh, an Private Vehicle Driver from Kerala who had parked vehicle in Palace Parking lot said: 'We travelled night and reached Mysuru around 11 am, and came to know about the bandh only after reaching Mysuru. Not to take chance have parked my vehicle here and will leave place after studying the situation.'
Auto drivers charge exorbitant money
The auto drivers in city were found charging exorbitant price, following cancellation of bus service in city. The passengers complained of the autos being asking double rate and left with no other option they are forced to pay.
“Its not fair to overcharge. They speak in a rude voice stating Bandh you want get any bus and demand to pay the asked money. From city Bus stand to my destination near Vivekananda Circle they are asking Rs 350. With bus service hit am in fixed,” said Kiran a native of Hubli.
Exams held peacefully
The Bandh did not affect the ongoing PU exams. Parents were found dropping their wards to the exam center in fear of violence.
DDPU KM Puttu confirmed Express that exams were held peacefully in all the 48 centers. 8,566 students took the exam, while 446 students were absence, among the total 9,112 candidates who had registered.
The papers attended by students on Monday were Geography and Mathematics.
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