Strike paralyses normal life in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, June 13 (UNI) A dawn-to-dusk strike called by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) against the fuel price hike today paralysed normal life in Kerala, with vehicular traffic going off the roads, shops remaing closed and Ministers staying away from the Secretariat.

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

The Opposition Congress termed the strike, which evoked a bandh-like situation in the state, as mere eye-wash as the LDF government was reluctant to reduce the sales tax on petrol.

There was no strike in party-ruled West Bengal, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy pointed out.

Streets wore a deserted look with shops and business establishments remaining closed and vehicular traffic going off the roads. Normal life was paralysed for the second day in a week over the same issue, the first being the BJP-sponsored hartal on June 9.

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

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

The IT sector was not affected by the strike as Technopark here and the Inforpark at Kochi functioned smoothly.

A report from Kottayam said strike supporters staged a demonstration in the town. Government offices functioned with skeleton staff.

A Kozhikode report said public transport system virtually went off the road in Kozhikode, Wynad and Malappuram districts forcing the people to ramain indoors.

However, a few two-wheelers were seen plying in certain pockets.

Police said the strike was peaceful as there was no report of untoward incidents from anywhere in this district.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan stressed the need for intensive agitation to force the Centre to withdraw the recent hike of Rs four on petrol and Rs two on diesel.

He also ruled out any reduction of sales tax on petrol by the state government.

UNI Team/CR GM LR VV1939