Shops and trading establishments remained closed in Idukki, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Kottayam districts on Tuesday in response to a call for hartal by Kerala Congress (Mani) and Kerala Congress (Jacob), Bharatiya Janata Party and others over the Mullaperiyar issue.
Transport services were affected in these districts as buses kept off the roads and protesters blocked roads at some places. Boat services did not operate in Alappuzha district. In Idukki district, the hartal is in place for the second day.
Member of the Assembly E. S. Bijimol (CPI) is continuing her hunger strike at Karinkulam Chappathu in Idukki district for the third day. Protests are on in different parts of the district including Chappathu and Kumili demanding Central intervention to resolve the Mullaperiyar issue and ensure the safety of people. Protesters say recurrent tremors and water level in the reservoir at the spillway level could cause breaches in the dam. The local Tamil population has also joined the stir.
Many shops in other parts of Kerala also remained closed, as a section of traders had also called for hartal over Central government’s move to allow foreign investment in retail trade.
