Dawn-to-dusk Hartal total and peaceful in Kerala

The dawn-to-dusk hartal, called by the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-headed opposition UDF to protest the rising fuel prices, Monday was near total and passed off peacefully.

No untoward incident was reported from any part of the state in connection with the shutdown barring stray incidents of pro-hartal supporters creating road blockades and throwing stones at vehicles, police said.

Both public and private transport buses, autorickshaws and taxis kept off the roads across the state in response to the strike, as part of the 'Bharat Bandh' called by the Congress at the national level.

Shops and commercial establishments and educational institutions remained closed in most parts of the state while government offices functioned with very thin attendance.

A group of workers allegedly belonging to the Congress blocked the car of Shahida Kamal, a member of the Kerala State Women's Commission, at Pathanapuram in Kollam district.

Kamal later alleged that she was manhandled by the protesters and demanded legal action against them.

Both the left and UDF workers staged separate protests across the state.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala led the protest by riding in a bullock cart in Kochi while LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan in Thiruvanathapuram.

A large number of people including women and elderly, who arrived at railway stations across the state, were left stranded for hours as they did not get transport for their onward journey.

"Fuel price rise is a matter for concern. But, this kind of protest causing hardships to people has to be avoided," an elderly man, who came here for treatment at a hospital, said.

The otherwise busy bus stations wore a deserted look.

A non-resident Keralite, who got stranded at a bus-stop here, said he wanted to go to Kollam distirct.

"I am waiting for the bus for the last several hours," he said.

In some places, police arranged parallel vehicle facilities to help people.

Tourism sector and essential services including transportation to hospitals, flood relief works and airports were exempted from the hartal.

The All India Congress Committee had called for a Bharat Bandh from 9 am to 3 pm on September 10 to protest the rising fuel prices and asked other opposition parties and civil society groups to join their protest against the BJP-led central government.