Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110755520300.htm

Kerala - Pathanamthitta

‘Avoid hartals during Sabarimala season’

Staff Reporter

Collector meets political party leaders

Vehicular traffic in town to be streamlined
‘All steps taken for smooth conduct of festival’

PATHANAMTHITTA: District Collector T.T. Antony has called upon various political parties to avoid hartals in the district during the two-month long Mandalam-Makaravilakku season that begins on November 16.

The Collector was addressing a meeting of leaders of various political parties and people’s representatives at the Collectorate conference hall here on Friday.

He said the district administration had taken all measures for the smooth conduct of the season.

He said vehicular traffic in the town would be streamlined during the Mandalam-Makaravilaku festival to facilitate hassle-free movement of vehicles carrying pilgrims.

H. Salimraj, Additional District Magistrate, K.K. Chellappan, Superintendent of Police, P. Vijaykumar, Thiruvalla Revenue Divisional Officer, M.C. Sarasamma, Adoor RDO, K. Haridas of Hindu Aikyavedi, Mundappally Thomas, Malayalappuzha Mohanan, P.K.Gopi, S.Meerasahib, M.K. Aravindan, Saleem P .Chacko, K.G.Karunakaran, Kunjukoshy Paul, Kidangil Sulochanan, Baby Mallasserry, leaders of various political parties, attended the meeting.

BJP hartal

The Bharatiya Janata Party has called for a hartal in the district on the very first day of the Mandalam festival on November 16, alleging conscious sidelining of the National Teachers Union while setting up various committees for the forthcoming district-level school youth festival.

United Democratic Front district convener Peelipose Thomas decried BJP’s hartal call as “it will cause much hardships to the Sabarimala pilgrims.”

Mr. Peelipose said the BJP should withdraw the hartal call.