Strike by left paralyses normal life in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, June 13 : Normal life was thrown out of gear today as the Left parties observed a dawn-to-dusk strike in Kerala in protest against the fuel price hike.

Streets wore a deserted look with shops and business establishments remaining closed and vehicular traffic going off the roads in response to the strike called by the ruling Left Democratic Front.

However, no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state, police said.

A 'bandh-like' situation prevailed in most part of the state as normal life was paralysed for the second day in a week over the same issue, the first being the BJP-sponsored hartal on June nine.

According to industry circles, the loss for the state due to a strike would be hundreds of crores rupees.

Offices recorded a thin attendance, while most of the schools and colleges had an unofficial holiday. Public transport did not ply, However, trains were crowded with passengers.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had stressed the need for an intensive agitation to force the Central Government to withdraw the recent hike of Rs four for petrol and Rs two for diesel. He also ruled out any reduction of sales tax on petrol by the state government until the Centre rolled back the hike.

UNI