With shops remaining closed and public transport system staying off the road, the hartal called by the LDF and the BJP was total and barring stray incidents, peaceful in the district. Private vehicles, mostly two wheelers and a few cars could be seen on the road.
According to police, the attempt of the hartal supporters to resist the buses operated by the Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) resulted in a minor skirmish in Kanjirappally. The KSRTC which operated a skeletal service early on the day recalled all their services following the tension.
In another case, a two wheeler carrying a patient to Kottayam Government Medical college hospital was waylaid by supporters of hartal. Police however said they have not received any complaint regarding the issue.
While commercial institutions remained closed, government offices and banks operated with skeletal staff. The most hit were the passengers of long distance trains who were stranded at the railway stations till evening.
LDF and BJP activists took out protest marches in the town.
