Hartal total, peaceful in Kochi

Kochi: The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state on Monday to declare solidarity with the people protesting the Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats was by and large total and peaceful in the city and the suburbs. Stone-pelting at a few vehicle carrying Sabarimala pilgrims at Kakkanad was the only violence reported from the district.

Heavy police force was deployed to maintain law and order. Private and KSRTC buses, except the Pampa-bound ones stayed away from roads. KSRTC resumed services after 6 pm. Educational institutions, shops and other establishments, including petrol pumps, remained closed.

Government offices in the district witnessed poor attendance while Infopark recorded turnout close to 55 percent. Conveyance for employees was arranged as convoy from Palarivattom in the morning.

District collectorate and civil station also witnessed poor attendance. Even the skeleton staff present returned home by afternoon in many offices. District collector P.I. Sheikh Pareeth and additional district magistrate B. Ramachandran were present in their respective offices.

Cops managed to take a patient from Kaloor to Lakeshore Hospital and back for undergoing dialysis. They also transported a person from Abad Hotel to Ernakulam south railway station upon request. However, the hartal activists stopped private vehicles and forced shops and offices at various places.

The work of the Kochi Metro was also affected. The work at most of the stretches was stalled. This is the third time that the Metro project work was stalled since the start of the project.

Tourists and passengers who arrived at bus stands and railway stations had a tough time due to the absence of sufficient public transport. Private vehicles were out on the road, but in lesser numbers.