Stones Pelted At Private Buses In Mangaluru, Services Suspended Amid Rising Tensions

A wave of unrest swept through Mangaluru on Friday morning after miscreants pelted stones at a private bus near University College, prompting a rapid shutdown of bus services across the city and significantly disrupting daily life.

The first incident occurred while the bus was in motion, sparking alarm among passengers and prompting private bus operators to suspend operations as a precautionary measure, reported Udhayavani. The situation worsened when four additional buses, all arriving from Bengaluru, were attacked near Pumpwell Junction. Though passengers were unharmed, the vehicles suffered damage to their window panes.

As tensions mounted, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) also halted services in the affected areas. The city witnessed a near-complete shutdown, with most shops, offices, and commercial establishments choosing to remain closed. With vehicular and pedestrian movement severely limited, authorities imposed prohibitory orders and deployed additional security forces to maintain order.

Suhas Shetty Murder Triggers Bandh Call

The violence appears to be connected to a bandh called by Hindu organisations in response to the killing of Suhas Shetty, who had been accused in the 2022 mob lynching of Fazil in Mangaluru. On Thursday night, Shetty was hacked to death, triggering outrage among supporters. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sharan Pumpwell had called for a voluntary bandh in Dakshina Kannada on May 2, urging businesses and transport operators to observe a shutdown.

In response to the unrest, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara told ANI, “Yesterday evening, in Mangaluru city, a murder has happened. We have already taken note of it. We have set up four different teams to catch the culprits. We are going to bring them to book… In Dakshina Kannada, we strive to maintain peace and harmony, and incidents like this should not disrupt that. We are taking this very seriously.”

While Mangaluru experienced significant disruptions, life in neighbouring Udupi remained largely unaffected. Shops and city buses continued operating as usual. However, as a precautionary measure, bus services between Karkala and Mangaluru have been suspended due to safety concerns for passengers and transport personnel.