Ramanagar :The Ramanagara Bundh call given on Monday August 11 by BJP and several pro-Hindu outfits in protest against the vandalism in the historic Sri Arkeshwara Swami Temple in the town, evoked a good response.

Police had on August 10 arrested one Rehman Khan of Rehmania Nagar on the charges of damaging the Rajagopura, and other things in the temple, but also  harming  the sanctity of the temple by discarding meat after consuming it in the temple.

Schools and educational institutions remained closed while even banks and theatres downed shutters. Most shops in the town  also supported the bundh call and the roads wore a deserted look. Most autos too were off the roads. However, hospitals, medical stores and petrol bunks  functioned as usual. Even  many hotels participated in the bundh affecting many people who relied on hotel food.

On one occasion there was a heated exchange of words between BJP workers and police personnel when CPI Subrahmani  asked BJP men not to force some shopkeepers to close down.

The IGP said over 30 persons who tried to forcibly shut down shops and who tried to take out a procession  have been arrested.

District BJP later staged a protest in front of DC office demanding  invoking of  Goonda Act against the accused and to release all the party men who  were arrested for flouting rules. The dharna was withdrawn after Deputy Commissioner FR Jamadar and  SP Anupam Agarwal  said the arrested protestors will be released upon furnishing personal bond.