Thrissur: The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the UDF in Thrissur on Saturday protesting against the lathicharge on the Congress activists on Friday was complete. Wadakkanchery MLA Anil Akkara had suffered a fracture in his right elbow in the lathicharge in front of Thrissur collectorate. The protesters were demanding the arrest of Wadakkanchery gang-rape case-accused and CPM councillor P.N. Jayanthan and others. A total of 17 Congress workers had suffered injuries.
Civil police officer Siva Dasan of Viyyur police station also suffered serious injuries on his face as protesters pelted stones in retaliation to the lathicharge. Only two-wheelers and KSRTC buses plied and shops remained closed. The windshield of a KSRTC bus was broken by the Congressmen near Viyyur. Two local Congress leaders were taken into custody by the police in connection with the incident.
As it was the fourth Saturday, all the banks remained closed. Those appearing for the PSC test had a tough time in reaching the examination centres. The Guruvayur temple and Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours (Puthan Palli) were spared from the hartal due to the festivals. Though a special team led by ACP G. Poonguzhali had started a re-probe into the gang-rape case, the investigation has hit a dead end with the alleged victim unable to identify the place of occurrence and other details of the crime. Mr Akkara had alleged that police were protecting the accused in the case without arresting and questioning them.
