A dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Janakeeya Samara Samithi, spearheaded by UDF activists, at Neyyattinkara on Friday turned violent. The hartal was in protest against the inclusion of the Neyyattinkara taluk in the recently formed Nedumangad revenue division. The agitators claimed that because of the move, the people of Neyyattinkara were being forced to travel to Nedumangad for various official purposes.
They demanded that the taluk be retained as part of the Thiruvananthapuram revenue division as visiting the District Collectorate was easier.
The activists prevented KSRTC buses from plying from the Neyyattinkara depot. They closed down shops. Many private vehicles were also blocked. Neyyattinkara MLA K. Ansalan’s brother Thulasi was allegedly manhandled, with the protesters insisting that his shop be closed. The police have registered cases against around 25 people in connection with the untoward incidents.
Meanwhile, Shashi Tharoor, MP, wrote to the Chief Minister seeking retention of Neyyattinkara taluk under the Thiruvananthapuram revenue division or creation of a new revenue division for Neyyattinkara.
