: The day-long Kerala bandh called by the BJP on Tuesday paralysed all activities in cardamom estates in Idukki district, leaving thousands of estate workers in Theni district jobless.
Both Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and private bus operators suspended their services to Kerala since morning.
Jeeps too were not operated. Buses, taxis and autorickshaws were off the road in Idukki district. The KSRTC too did not operate buses to Theni district.
However, essential commodities such as milk and meat were sent to Kerala before 6 a.m.
Police personnel at check-posts near Tmil Nadu-Kerala border stopped all vehicles entering Kerala. Idukki police had already advised local jeep, van and cab operators in Theni district not to operate their services.
Around 20,000 estate workers in Theni district did not go for work. Over 300 jeeps and vans that were carrying workers to estates in Kerala were off the road, said P. Iyyappan, president, Jeep and Van Operators’ Association.
The wholesale vegetable market in Oddanchatram wore a deserted look as traders did not send vegetables to Kerala.
The BJP called the bandh demanding resignation of Kerala Finance Minister K.M. Mani in the wake of graft charges.
Nagercoil
The KSRTC had suspended its services to various destinations in kanyakumari district, the TNSTC buses were operated only up to Kaliyakavilai near Kerala border.
The TNSTC bus services resumed at 6 p.m. Due to the Kerala bandh, all Kerala-bound trains from Nagercoil were crowded.
