Date:31/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/31/stories/2006123112350100.htm

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Kerala observes hartal

Special Correspondent

Marches taken out all over State to condemn hanging

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala rose almost like a man to protest against the hanging of Iraq's former President Saddam Hussein with an afternoon hartal called by parties belonging to the Government and the Opposition and demonstrations across the State denouncing U.S. imperialist designs and American President George W. Bush.

Hundreds of marches coursed through the main thoroughfares of cities, towns and villages in Kerala shortly after news about Saddam Hussein's hanging became known.

Several of the marches culminated in the burning of Mr. Bush in effigies and sloganeering against the U.S. Government. The marchers belonged to all parties, save the BJP, and together, the marches constituted an unprecedented display of collective anger by different opinion groups in Kerala in recent times.

The hartal call was given by the CPI(M), Congress, CPI, RSP, NCP and the IUML besides various smaller organisations and groups.

The hartal was near total in northern districts and partial in the southern parts of the State. Pilgrims to Sabarimala and Sivagiri were exempted from the hartal. Although no untoward incident was reported, the Government put the police on alert and instructed Superintendents of Police in all districts to keep a special tab on tourist centres taking into account the arrival of a large number of tourists to the State.