Bengaluru: City may well see a good morning on Wednesday

BENGALURU: While the government did not declare a holiday for schools and colleges, most educational institutions have decided to remain closed as prohibitory orders are still in place. The city will be normal on Wednesday, Bengaluru police said late on Tuesday evening. “No one can forcibly shut down commercial establishments citing enforcement of Section 144. Shops are free to resume operations,“ the police announced.

Public transport, including BMTC buses, autos and cabs, were back on the streets by Tuesday evening, although shops and establishments downed shutters throughout the day. Bengaluru Metro resumed operations in the evening, running trains at a 15-minute frequency.

The city remained largely peaceful following the curfew that was enforced in 16 sensitive areas in the aftermath of Monday's violence. Yet, one vehicle was burnt and a bakery vandalised in Hegganahalli in Rajagopalanagar police limits. “The violence stopped after we fired teargas shells to disperse the mob,“ state police chief Om Prakash said.

Scores of Tamilians stranded in and around Bengaluru were safely escorted in 300 vehicles till the neighbouring state's border.About 100 TN-registered trucks on the NICE Road were also escorted till Hosur, authorities said. Three Seema Suraksha Bal, one Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, one Central Industrial Security Force, six Rapid Action Force, 20 Central Police Force companies, 30 City Armed Reserve and 40 Karnataka State Reserve Police platoons were stationed in violence-hit areas, and will continue to keep vigil on Wednesday.

So far, the police have arrested 335 persons mostly hailing from Magadi, Nagamangala, Kunigal and Ramanagaram in connection with the violence.

A total of 79 vehicles were torched in the unrest on Monday, the police said.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah announced . 10 lakh compensation to the family of ` Umesh Gowda, 25, who was killed in the police firing on Monday. Another person, Kumar (30), who fell from the third floor of a building while trying to escape lathicharge in Bydarahalli, succumbed in hospital.

Three children ­ Kumar (15), Srikanth (11) and Darshan (15) ­ are missing from the violence-hit Laggere area in the Rajagopalanagar police station limits since Monday evening. Their parents have lodged a complaint saying they left home to immerse Ganesha idols.