The Hindu : Sporadic violence mars hartal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 04, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Sporadic violence mars hartal

Thiruvananthapuram May 3. The 12-hour hartal in the State today called by the Sangh Parivar in protest against the communal clashes which claimed nine lives at Marad in Kozhikode last night was marred by sporadic violence.

Incidents of stone-throwing and torching of vehicles, forcible closure of a bank and a few business firms have been reported in some parts.

Two lorries were set ablaze at Koyilandi in Kozhikode.

Police recovered 17 gelatine bombs, about 50-sharp edged weapons and a few swords from a place of worship during raids at Marad, where a strong contingent of State police had been posted since last night. Over 65 persons had been taken into custody so far, police said.

The hartal was near-total in all parts of the State with shops downing shutters and buses keeping off the roads.

The situation in Marad and surrounding areas, where the hartal was total, was tense but under control, the police said.

According to the State BJP headquarters here, the Union Minister of State for Home, I. D. Swamy, would be visiting the trouble-hit area on Monday, while the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, left here for Marad this evening to monitor the situation. — PTI

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