A somber silence enveloped Shivamogga on Wednesday as the town observed a half-day bandh to honor Manjunath Rao, a local resident killed in the recent terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Though the family didn’t request the shutdown, citizens voluntarily paused daily life to express grief and solidarity. “We’re not asking anyone to close their shops. People are doing this on their own, and many plan to attend the funeral,” said Pradeep, Manjunath’s brother-in-law.
Manjunath’s mortal remains are expected to reach Shivamogga by Thursday afternoon, with final rites scheduled before sunset, in accordance with family customs. His sister-in-law Vinutha noted the overwhelming public support during this difficult time, saying, “It’s an emotionally heavy day for us.”
Across Karnataka, the attack has sparked public outrage, with demonstrations erupting in several districts. Advocate associations, civil society groups, and religious leaders staged protests and peace marches, calling for justice, heightened security, and national unity. A notable march led by Jamia Masjid and local organizations promoted communal harmony amid the tragedy.
District in-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa visited Manjunath’s family to offer condolences and confirmed that the state is working with the Centre to assist affected families and facilitate the return of stranded tourists.
“This loss is personal to all of us,” Bangarappa said. “We’re doing everything in our power to support the families and prevent such horrors from repeating.”
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