The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Hartal throws life out of gear

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Friday, Jun 06, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Hartal throws life out of gear

Staff Reporter

No untoward incident reported in the district

KSRTC claims loss of Rs.3 crore
Technopark functions as usual

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Normal life was disrupted in the capital on Thursday due to the dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the LDF and the BJP separately to protest against the hike in price of petroleum products.

The strike, which began at 6 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m., was total and peaceful. No untoward incident was reported in the district, the police said.

KSRTC buses, including city services, and private buses did not ply in the district. Taxies and autorickshaws remained mostly off the roads.

However, a KSRTC official said two services were operated in the city. “Lack of passengers prevented us from operating more services. The attendance of employees was also less than 25 per cent. The corporation suffered a loss of Rs.3 crore today as it could not operate the schedules,” the official said.

Hotels, restaurants, shops and business establishments remained closed. Educational institutions remained closed. Attendance at government offices and public sector undertakings was thin. The interviews of the Public Service Commission were held as scheduled and many candidates had to walk to reach the venue.Train services and flights were not affected. But, those who arrived in trains and flights got stranded due to lack of conveyance to the destinations. Two-wheelers and private cars plied in the district.

Although private petrol bunks remained closed, outlets of the Civil Supplies Corporation at Vellayambalam and Statue functioned.

The hartal evoked no response in the IT sector and the IT companies in the Technopark functioned as usual. Police escort was provided to the vehicles transporting IT professionals to the Technopark.

BJP activists took out a march from East Fort to the General Post Office and the LDF from Palayam to the Accountant-General’s Office demanding rollback of the hike in fuel prices.

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