Dalit hartal partial, KSRTC buses stoned

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 12-hour hartal called by various dalit outfits in the state on Monday evoked mixed response with KSRTC and private buses plying and shops remaining open.  However, activists blocked vehicles, stoned KSRTC buses and forcibly shut shops at various  places. Dalit leader M. Geethanandan and several Dalit activists were held by the police in Kochi on charges of blocking traffic. They were released later.  Geethanandan, who  was arrested from Kacheripady, alleged that the police were acting with prejudice as the activists had not blocked any vehicles. Private vehicles plied as usual and offices, including the secretariat, recorded average attendance. 

About 30 dalit outfits in the state under the banner of Kerala Dalit Action Council had called  the hartal in protest against the relaxations of the provisions of the SC/ ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as well as the violence in several states in connection with an all-India bandh called  by various dalit outfits on  Monday last. The KSRTC ran services right from the morning, but dalit activists blocked the buses at various places, including Thampanoor. Incidents of stone-pelting were  reported from Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram, causing minor injuries to drivers and some passengers. 

Actor-turned MP Suresh Gopi's vehicle was  blocked by hartal supporters at Chengannur. The attempts by activists to forcibly shut shops  led to minor incidents  at various places,  including Chalai bazar here. By noon the majority of shops resumed functioning. The SSLC valuation camps and higher secondary examinations were  not  affected as the police provided transportation to teachers who were stranded.