Thiruvananthapuram: The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the UDF and LDF in the state to protest against the hikes in fuel prices was total with almost all shops and commercial establishments remaining shut and government offices witnessing thin attendance.
Though the flood-affected areas were exempted from the hartal, it affected the transportation of volunteers and relief materials to such areas.
No major untoward incidents of violence were reported, other than an attack on Kerala Women’s Commission member Shahida Kamal allegedly by Congress activists near Pathanapuram in Kollam.
The hartal supporters tried to prevent employees who turned up at some government offices, including the head post office in Thiruvananthapuram. The secretariat witnessed only around 20 percent attendance. Most ministers also kept off office.
KSRTC and private transport buses, taxis and autorickshaws kept off the road causing hardships to commuters who reached railway stations and airports from distant places. The police provided transportation to the public to places like hospitals in some districts, including Thiruvananthapuram. Private vehicles were also seen on the roads in minimum numbers.
The UDF and LDF took out protest marches in all districts against the fuel price hike. Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala staged a bullock cart ride in Kochi as a mark of protest.
