Kozhikode: Hartal hits life, two buses attacked

KOZHIKODE: The BJP sponsored hartal hit normal life in the district on Thursday with many being stranded in the railway station, bus stations and hospitals. Windowpanes of two KSRTC buses were broken in stone pelting at Meenchanda and Pathaam Mile in the early morning. Police responded to the situation swiftly and arranged vehicles from prime spots to reach stranded commuters to their destinations.

There was less number of patients at the OP section of Medical College Hospital.
Though authorities claimed that the hospital functioned as usual, patients said few surgeries were put off due to the shortage of paramedics. “I got admitted to the orthopaedics ward and my surgery was scheduled on Thursday. But in the morning, nurses informed of postponing it to Friday due to the shortage of nursing staff,” said Aslam P. of Nilambur. A few drug stores and restaurants were open on its premises.

A police official looks at the glass of a KSRTC bus which was destroyed in the stone pelting by anti-socials during the hartal on Thursday. (Photo: DC)“There was nothing unusual on the hartal day. Staff including doctors had reported as usual,” principal Dr V.P. Sasidharan said. Kozhikode railway station wore a deserted look with very less number of commuters. A family from Mangalore got down at 11 am here towards Madavoor and waited till 6 pm to catch a bus.

“Several jeeps and autos approached us offering a ride at an inflated fare. We decided to wait till the hartal is over,” said Syed Abdul Kalam, a member of the 19-member team. KSRTC did not operate a single service due to stoning. Sources said the ailing corporation had suffered a loss to the tune of Rs 1.10 crore from the hartal.