THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city police would deploy an additional 1,000 men from various battalions to beef-up the security, anticipating a total shutdown on Friday. While strikers have called for private vehicles to keep off the roads, firms in Technopark and the VSSC will operate vehicles on convoy basis with police and CISF protection respectively. “There will be police vans and buses shuttling between the central railway station and the bus station at Thampanoor to Medical College and Regional Cancer Centre,” said control room assistant commissioner Suresh Kumar.
City police commissioner Sparjan Kumar said picket points would be put up at all important places across the city to avoid strike enforcers attacking motorists. “I believe they will spare two-wheelers. We will see to it that all employees get adequate protection. We have requested for men from AR camp and SAP camp,” he said. Armed striker teams will be deployed in areas like Fort, MG Road, Medical College and Technopark.
In times of emergency, the citizens can call either 100 or 1090. Milk and newspaper are exempted. The KSRTC will not operate regular services, and indispensable vehicular movement will also get police protection. Shops, schools and all sports facilities will remain shut. Tour operators and luxury hotels have informed guests well in advance that vehicles will not ply. All major trade unions barring Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) have joined the national strike demanding fixed minimum (universal) labour.
