The 48-hour national strike evoked mixed response in the district on the first day on Tuesday. No untoward incidents were reported from the district.
Public vehicles, including private buses and KSRTC buses, stayed off the road. However, private vehicles plied as usual. Strike supporters disrupted train services at various stations. Autorickshaws plied in many parts of the district.
Protesters blocked the Guruvayur Intercity Express and Amritha Express at the Thrissur railway station. The railway police registered a case against 50 people in this connection.
Trains delayed
Trains were blocked at the Wadakkanchery, Irinjalakuda and Chalakudy stations too. Many trains are running late as they were blocked at different stations.
Though there was strong police security, only a few shops opened in the morning in the district. However, some shops opened after the conclusion of the procession of the strike supporters.
Petrol bunks remained open. On Monday, most fuel bunks witnessed long queues till midnight as people feared a shortage of fuel on the strike days.
Some hotels and wayside eateries too functioned.
Some vegetable shops and fish shops that remained open at the Sakthan market witnessed heavy rush.
A strong posse of police was deployed everywhere.
Most of the offices recorded zero attendance. As train services and KSRTC buses were disrupted, people were stranded in many places.
ATMs empty
Most of the ATMs in the district were empty by Monday night.
As bank staff too had declared support for the strike, people had started withdrawing money from Monday afternoon itself fearing shortage of cash in the ATMs. Serpentine queues were seen in front of the ATMs that had money.
Educational institutions did not function. The trade unions took out processions and held public meeting in various pales.
Pilgrims not affected
The strike did not affect Sabarimala pilgrims.
Heavy rush was witnessed at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple. The shops and hotels near the temple functioned as usual. However, other shops in the town remained closed.
