Thiruvananthapuram: Hartal total over inclusion of taluk

Thiruvananthapuram: The police registered cases against 25 people  for obstructing traffic during the hartal organised in Neyyatinkara  taluk on Friday in protest against the inclusion of  the  taluk under Nedumangadu Revenue Division Office (RDO). The Neyyatinkara taluk,  which was under Thiruvananthapuram RDO,  was recently included under Nedumangadu RDO which also controls Kattakada taluk.

The protest was held by workers under the leadership of Solomon, KPCC executive committee member. The movement of KSRTC buses barring interstate ones was obstructed in the taluk. The local traders opposed the forcible shutting down of shops, Neyyatinkara police said. The issue had gained considerable support at Neyyatinkara as many in the area face commutation problems  while visiting the RDO now. Apart from this, the volume of revenue -related complaints arising  from Neyyatinkara taluk was high.

“The people from this taluk have to change three-four buses to reach Nedumangadu. A person from Parassala has to land at Neyyatinkara, proceed to Kattakada and then again change bus to Nedumangadu which is 40 km away. Certain issues need repeated visits to RDO,” said Aji S. Nair of Kanjiramkulam.

“If it was in Thiruvananthapuram collectorate we could  easily go or even depute anyone else to  visit the RDO. All of us have to visit the city often. While Kattakada is a centre point between Neyyatinkara and Nedumangadu, it’s a new taluk," he added. The protestors will organise a secretariat march on May 18 raising the same demand.