The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the district on Thursday was partial with minor cases of untoward incidents being reported from various parts.
While the hartal passed off peacefully in the city, the same was not the case elsewhere. BJP workers blocked several private vehicles and also engaged in altercation with the police personnel who tried to prevent them. During the ensuing melee, a road divider was damaged. A case has been registered against as many as 111 BJP workers in connection with the incident. In Malayinkeezhu, BJP activists were involved in an altercation with the police after claiming that their local unit office came under attack.
Car vandalised
Hartal supporters allegedly vandalised a car belonging to a CPI worker at Kizhuvilam in Chirayinkeezhu. The vehicle belonged to Manesh, who had defected from the BJP recently. In another incident, BJP workers vandalised a mini-lorry that was transporting equipment for the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s function at Sreekaryam when it reached Ulloor. In addition, two cars were vandalised in Parassala.
Services conducted by the KSRTC took a hit with trips being discontinued at several depots, including those in Neyyattinkara, Kattakada, Vellarada, Poovar, Venjaramoodu, Parassala and Kallara.
While there was no hindrance caused by hartal supporters to public transportation in the city, the number of services conducted by the KSRTC were significantly lower than usual. However, private vehicles were seen in large numbers within the city limits. Interstate services were conducted with police convoy.
Special trips conducted by the city police to the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital and the Regional Cancer Centre from Thampanoor came as a huge relief to many.
Most commercial establishments remained shut until afternoon in the city. However, some pharmacies operated in the vicinity of hospitals in various places.
Meanwhile, the city police stepped up surveillance near the premises of party offices to prevent a retaliation to the attack of the BJP district office on Wednesday.
