Kozhikode: The dawn-to-dusk motor vehicle strike called by major trade unions and public carriage operators on Wednesday to protest against the spiraling petrol and diesel prices was total and peaceful in Malabar region. INTUC and AITUC-affiliated unions in the region supported the protest.
Buses, including the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, did not operate services and private taxis, including autorickshaws, kept off the roads in support. Since private vehicles were allowed to ply, the public did not find it difficult, other than those stranded at railway stations and bus stops. By evening, the KSRTC bus terminal was packed with people trying to get buses which were back on the roads after the bandh.
Even though it was a motor vehicle bandh, most shops and business establishments remained closed. However, restaurants were open and catered to office-goers. Some tension prevailed in Thalassery and Kannur region, where even private vehicles were not allowed to ply initially. A few organizations conducted a protest march against the price hike.
The strike affected the business of vegetables and fish vendors, as most vehicles from other States stopped their services.
