Hartal cripples normal life in Kozhikode

Kozhikode, Aug 8 (UNI) Normal life was affected in Kozhikode following a hartal called by the Congress-led Opposition United Democratic government in protest against alleged custodial deaths in the district.

Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed and public transport were off the roads due to the dawn-to-dusk hartal.

However, the state owned KSRTC was operating its fleets to faraway destinations under security escort.

The stir also hampered the functioning of offices, including government and private, due to thin attendance in the absence of transport.

Police said the hartal was by and large peaceful as no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the district so far.

A remand prisoner Rajan, arrested in connection with Abkari Act, died in an ambulance while being taken to the Goverment Institute of Mental Health at Kuthiravattam in the district yesterday, prompting the UDF to call the hartal.

Two other remand prisoners reportedly died in police custody in the district recently sparking protests by various political and non-governmental organisations.

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