UDF hartal in Kerala: Stray incidents of violence reported at several places

Despite Ramesh Chennithala assuring that the hartal would be a peaceful affair, there were incidents of stone-pelting at KSRTC buses The KSRTC buses decided to conduct services on Monday after the police promised adequate security All examinations of Kerala University, MG University and Kannur University, scheduled for Monday, have been postponed

Stray incidents of violence marred the initial hours of the UDF hartal in Kerala on Monday, protesting the rising fuel price and the anti-people policies of both central and state governments.

Despite opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala assuring that the hartal would be a peaceful affair, there were incidents of stone-pelting at KSRTC buses in some places, while civilian vehicles were blocked at other places.

The KSRTC buses decided to conduct services on Monday after the police promised adequate security. However, news reports confirmed the buses came under attack in Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta districts. Youth Congress workers also blocked buses in Thiruvananthapuram, while supporters of the hartal stopped private vehicles in Thrissur, leading to minor tussles.

Most of the shops and business establishments in the state remained shut, despite the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) earlier announcing that all shops would remain open.

All examinations of Kerala University, MG University and Kannur University, which were scheduled for Monday, have been postponed.