Hartal hits normal life in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dawn-to-dusk hartal organised by LDF against demonetisation of high-value banknotes hit normal life in the capital, which also witnessed minor violent incidents, on Monday. During the shutdown, the CPM workers allegedly attacked the staff of KSRTC depot at Aryanad. Assistant depot engineer Renjith was locked up and roughed up in the office and was again dragged out and beaten. They also destroyed its furniture. Aryanad assistant transport officer has lodged a complaint with the local police.

A stationery shop was vandalised by hartal supporters Vellarada. In the morning, they stopped an auto-rickshaw and attempted to oust passengers at Vanchiyoor. The police dispersed the protesters and sent the passenger home safely. The KSRTC did not run city services since morning, and rural line bus services had to stop service by 8 am itself. Banks continued to work as usual as many people came to withdraw currency due to non-functional ATMs.

However, the hartal enforcers closed down branches of Thiruvananthapuram  District Co-operative Bank at Chalai, Vattiyoorkavu and Pettah. Around 80 percent attendance was recorded at Technopark as vehicles that operated on convoy basis brought techies to their offices. “The attendance was lesser only because hartal came a day after a Sunday. Many used the opportunity to avail three-day leave starting Saturday,” an official said. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) also ferried staff on convoy basis. Around 2,000 people reached the RCC and Medical College Hospital in police vehicles.