UDF on rampage; cops watch

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF leadership promised a peaceful hartal on Monday and the state police chief warned of stern action against forcing people to shut shops or blocking vehicles. But none worked: while the UDF workers pooh-poohed their leaders and indulged in violence across the state, the police looked the other way, defying the order of their own boss. UDF workers blocked vehicles at various parts of the state and forcibly shut shops and commercial establishments, hitting normal life. Private buses, autorcikshaws and taxis also kept off the roads.

The police remained mute spectators as UDF activists went on a rampage at many parts of the state, including the state capital, despite a warning by the state police chief Loknath Behera on Sunday of stern action. Police sources said nearly 30 incidents were reported across the state in connection with the hartal. 
In many places, including Thiruvananthap-uram and Kollam, district leaders of the Congress led the road blockades. KSRTC buses were also blocked and stones pelted at many places. KSRTC, however, continued to operate on a low scale throughout the day. 

Attendance was low in many major government offices, including the government secretariat, while many field offices recorded only thin attendance. Schools and colleges also remained shut. In Thiruvananthapur-am, hartal supporters blocked vehicles at various parts including Palayam. They also forcibly shut banks at Statue and other parts of the state. Stones were pelted at various rural parts of the district, including Parassala near Tamil Nadu border and Vattappara on MC Road. Hartal supporters also tried to disrupt functioning of Passport Seva Kendra in the capital.

A bus was attacked by hartal supporters at Palarivattom in Kochi. A worker at a petrol pump at Pathadipalam suffered minor injuries during bid by hartal supporters to forcibly shut the outlet. Police booked 10 persons in this connection. Minor clashes between police and UDF activists were reported from Kayamkulam, Kottayam, Mukkam, Thrissur and Kannur. No major casualties were reported in connection with the hartal.

RTC bus driver hurt after stone pelting

A KSRTC bus driver, Appukuttan, 53, suffered injuries after Congress activists pelted stones on a fast passenger bus from their party office in Kayamkulam on Monday.  Appukuttan suffered injuries in his eyes after shards of glass flew into his eyes in the attack. He was admitted to Kayamkulam Government Hospital. The bus was heading to Mavelikara from Kayamkulam bus station. 

Five Congress activists, including KSU district president Nithin A Putiyidam were arrested in connection with the attack, said circle inspector K. Sadan. In Ambalappuzha, case was registered against 15 UDF workers and another Congress worker Arun, 25, Purakkad, was arrested for blocking vehicles on NH and trying to attack the police.  In Alappuzha town, hartal supporters locked a shop owner, Rafeeq, inside his shop for 30 minutes after he opened shop on Monday.