The statewide dawn-to-dusk hartal called by traders and retailers was "total" in the city as most shops and business establishments remained closed today.
The agitation was in protest against officials of the Sales Tax department who allegedly harassed a shop owner at Ambalapuzha in Alappuzha district which ended in the suicide of the owner, 57-year-old Sreekumar, who hanged himself inside the shop yesterday.
Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) state president, T Nasiruddin inaugurated the protest march of his outfit to Sales Tax office in the city this morning.
A minor clash broke out when police blocked protesters in front of the Sales Tax office in which no one was injured, police said.
Barring the incident, the hartal remained peaceful, they said.
Meanwhile, petrol stations in the city also remained closed as the statewide indefinite strike by the petroleum dealers began today in protest against the failure of the authorities concerned to renew licences of petrol bunks.
