UDF hartal hits normal life in Kerala

The Opposition UDF-sponsored dawn-to-dusk shut down saw normal life being crippled across the state on Tuesday despite the Kerala High Court directive, which said "those who call for hartals should not compel anyone to participate in it".

The hartal was called against the government's alleged failure to check price rise. Though the state transport corporation (KSRTC) had started plying early in the morning, protesters interrupted services forcing buses to be taken off the roads. Private buses stayed off the roads and shops remained closed in most places. Educational institutions also remained closed.

However, while the government was forced to stay put, the striking UDF men resorted to violence causing damage to KSRTC buses and buildings.

Even as UDF leaders claimed that there was no violence anywhere, television visuals clearly revealed that there were instances of stone throwing and forcible eviction of employees from offices in many parts of the state.