The Hindu : Front Page : Hartal total, peaceful in State

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Friday, Jun 06, 2008
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Hartal total, peaceful in State

Special Correspondent

Skirmishes and minor incidents of stone-throwing reported from some places

Thin attendance in government offices
LDF, BJP activists take out march

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dawn-to-dusk hartal called separately by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was peaceful and total across the State.

There was very little activity in any sphere of life in the State for most part of the day. Barring a few two-wheelers, there was no vehicular movement during the early part of the day. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operated only four services, two in Thiruvananthapuram and two in Kozhikode, during the duration of the hartal. Private cars remained off the road till noon but, by evening, there were a greater number of cars and other vehicles on the road.

State and Central government offices were mostly deserted as private bus operators also joined the hartal. Attendance was thin in banks, public sector units and private sector establishments. Milk and newspaper distribution and functioning of hospitals remained unaffected. Vehicles carrying goods from outside the State had to wait at the border check-posts for the whole day on account of the hartal.

Minor skirmishes and incidents of stone throwing were reported from a few places. One such incident was reported from Kollam district involving Yuva Morcha workers and from Kozhikode involving DYFI activists. The police intervened swiftly at both the places to defuse the situation. In one incident, stones were pelted at a vehicle going to the Karipur airport at Nilambur. In Kannur, attempts by DYFI activists to force closure of shops resulted in some tension. The police arrested the DYFI activists, but let them off when party leaders intervened. Pro-LDF unions took out marches in all districts in support of the hartal. The BJP also took out marches in several places.

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