The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Sabarimala Karma Samithi in protest against the arrest of Hindu Aikya Vedi leader K.P. Sasikala on Saturday has commenced largely peacefully in the State capital, barring a few sporadic untoward incidents.
The flash hartal has inconvenienced many, including numerous long-distance commuters who were caught unaware. Despite the steps adopted by the Thiruvananthapuram city police to arrange transportation for those who were headed for the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, Regional Cancer Centre and other health centres, many continued to remain stranded at the Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station and the Thampanoor central bus terminal.
Several students who came from other districts to participate in an inter-collegiate technical festival at the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, were among those who were stranded.
While the KSRTC has discontinued city services, only a few autorickshaws were plying on the roads. A few incidents of private vehicles being obstructed were reported from various parts of the district including Thampanoor and Enikkara, near Karakulam. A KSRTC bus was vandalised in Balaramapuram when hartal supporters hurled stones at vehicles.
In view of the hartal, the University of Kerala suspended all contact classes that were scheduled by the School of Distance Education. Equivalency examinations that were scheduled to be conducted by the Directorate of Higher Secondary Education were postponed. The Thiruvananthapuram revenue district mathematics and work experience festivals were also postponed to Monday.
The Kerala State Higher Education Council also called off the formal launch of its ‘Prabudhata’ programme that was planned to be held in the Karakulam grama panchayat.
