Coimbatore: Those who stayed within the city were unaffected by the nationwide bandh called by the Congress on Monday. Schools and colleges functioned as usual. Government buses and most of the private buses plied. However, autorickshaws stayed off the roads. Almost 70% of the shops downed shutters till 4pm.The bandh, which saw participation from 18 trade unions against the fuel price hike and decline in rupee value against the US dollar, saw a mixed response. “Since our main protest was against the increasing price of diesel, almost 85% of the autorickshaws remained off the road till 6pm,” president of the Autorickshaw Workers Union C Sukumar said. “Only those belonging to the AIADMK-trade union and private autorickshaws were on the roads,” he told TOI.Trucks belonging to transport companies also stayed off the roads. While government buses and private buses continued plying within the district, none of the buses travelled outside the city. Train services were normal.Though about 70% of the commercial establishments downed shutters till 4pm, essential services including medical shops, clinics, hospitals and restaurants remained open.Small and tiny industry associations like COTPA and COTMA also supported the strike. “We did not pressure any of our units to shut shop, but about 50% were closed for the day. We are affected by diesel price hike, because we use generators. Transport costs have increased. The government should roll back at least the hike in petrol prices,” COTMA president Ravikumar said.Earlier in the morning, senior leaders of DMK, Congress, CPI, MDMK and VCK participated in a protest near the Gandhipuram petrol pump.Police arrested 40 of the 50 CPM members, who blocked a road in Anamalai.

Stay updated with all the Coimbatore Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.