Bhopal/Bangalore: The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) sponsored bandh called to show solidarity with its jailed senior party leader Uma Bharti today (Aug 26, 2004) evoked a mixed response in Congress-ruled Karnataka but was near total in BJP-governed Madhya Pradesh where stray violence left at least 12 people injured.

The bandh shut businesses in most parts of Madhya Pradesh and was marred by skirmishes between BJP and Congress activists at some places including Hoshangabad and Indore. Most shops and markets, however, opened by late afternoon.

Government offices and financial institutions were open but drew thin attendance and public transport plied in a few areas. Many schools were closed due to fear of violence.

At least 12 people were injured when activists of Congress' students wing NSUI (National Students Union of India) and the saffron brigade clashed at Seoni-Malwa in Hoshangabad. BJP and Congress workers also clashed in Indore and an attempt was made to stop Jan Shatabadi Express and Habibganj station.

Slogan shouting BJP, Bajrang dal and VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) workers took out rallies in Jabalpur, Mandla, Dindori, Jhabua, Badwani and Shyopur districts and burnt effigies of Congress President Sonia Gandhi across the State.

In Bharti's home-town Tikamgarh, the bandh was total and the sangh parivar activists blocked movement of traffic on Sagar road.

In Karnataka, the strike evoked total response in BJP strongholds in northern and coastal districts where 100 people including State party chief Ananth Kumar were taken into preventive custody. The shut down, however, drew partial response in southern parts of the State.

A Mangalore report said Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation suspended its bus services after some buses were stoned but resumed it later in the evening. Attendance in Government and private offices and banks was thin.

At Uppinangady and Puttur, wooden logs were placed on the national highway between Mangalore and Mysore to block the road traffic, police said.

Udupi district also observed a total bandh with all hotels, shops and other commercial establishments closed. Private buses, taxis and auto-rikshaws also did not ply.

In Kodagu district, BJP leaders and workers took to the streets early in the morning and blocked the vehicular traffic at Madikeri, Somwarpet, Virajpet, Gonikoppal, Kushalnagar, Shanivarsanthe and other towns. Huge trees were felled at Makkandur to block the roads.