Date:02/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/02/stories/2007110261181100.htm

National

Hartal disrupts normal life in Kerala

Special Correspondent

BJP-led protest against formation of the Salem railway division

paralysed: A usually busy Shakthan bus stand in Thrissur wears a deserted look on Thursday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday in protest against the formation of the Salem railway division and the Centre’s “neglect” of the railway sector in the State hit normal life.

Security was tightened in the capital in view of the maiden visit of President Pratibha Patil to the State.

The civic reception accorded to the President at the Central Stadium was not affected by the hartal. The function witnessed a heavy turnout. The police said three persons were injured and five vehicles damaged in incidents of stone-throwing in the capital.

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private buses did not operate schedules. Taxis and autorickshaws remained off the road. Vehicles of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Information Technology companies functioning from Technopark operated services on a convoy basis. Schools and colleges did not function. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed. Attendance was thin in government offices.

BJP activists took out a march to the Central railway station from East Fort. BJP leader M.T. Ramesh inaugurated the march and addressed the workers.

Mr. Ramesh accused the MPs from the State of supporting the Union government’s attempt to neglect the State.

Barring stray incidents of hurling stones at buses, the hartal was peaceful in Kollam.

The police arrested 17 hartal supporters from various parts of the district on charges of blocking the roads.