Kerala : Hartal by Dalit organisations evokes mixed response
Thiruvanthapuram, Apr 9 (IBNS) : The dawn-to-dusk statewide hartal, called by Dalit organisations in Kerala, evoked mixed response on Monday, media reports said.
According to reports, though large scale violence was not reported, there were incidents of stone pelting and forceful closure of shops in several districts.
The Hindu reported that at many places, the hartal supporters blocked vehicles and forced closure of shops. Private buses remained off the roads in most places with very few buses of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) plying.
The police arrested M. Geethanandan, convener of the Dalit-Adivasi Action Council, at Kochi, accusing him of having blocked vehicle traffic.
In Thiruvananthapuram, government offices functioned with skeletal staff. Shops on the arterial MG Road remain closed. At Kollam and Thrissur, the hartal supporters pelted stones at KSRTC buses.
Though shops were opened, there were reports of forceful downing of shutters in certain pockets of Thiruvananthapuram city.
The KSRTC services were also hit as services from Thampanoor central depot were mostly suspended. The long-distance buses operating from Thampanoor were also suspended.
The Dalit-Adivasi Action Council, which gave call for the hartal protesting the alleged dilution of SC/ST Act, has in its fold 30 organisations, including Dalit Human Rights Movement (DHRM), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Kerala Cheraman Sanghom, Pombilai Orumai, Sambavar Mahasabha, Chengara Action Council, Arippa Land Agitation Action Council and Kerala Dalit Federation (KDF).
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