Date:21/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/21/stories/2008082150700800.htm

Kerala

Stray incidents of violence in Malappuram

Staff Reporter

MALAPPURAM: Stray incidents of violence marred the general strike called by Left trade unions against the Union government’s policies on Wednesday. The strike was total in the district.

Supporters of the strike stopped a taxi at Edappal and broke its windscreen, injuring its two occupants. Rail services were blocked at several places. Strike supporters also entered the Tirur branch of the Malappuram District Cooperative (MDC) Bank and attacked its manager. They destroyed files, furniture and equipment. Bank manager O.P. Abdul Majeed was admitted to the Government Hospital at Tirur with head injuries. The strike supporters allegedly manhandled a few employees of the bank and destroyed two computers and furniture. The United Democratic Front (UDF) took out a demonstration at Tirur in protest against the attack.

Rail services were blocked at Tirur, Nilambur and Parappanangadi for a few hours. Although over 100 non-executive workers at the Calicut International Airport, Karipur, struck work on Wednesday, flight traffic was not affected.