Northern, central Kerala affected by Vehicle strike

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 25 (UNI) Normal life was affected in the central and northern parts of Kerala in the 24-hour long vehicle strike called by motor sector unions to protest the steep hike in insurance premium on vehicles whereas it only evoked partial response in the southern districts.

A report from Kochi said a student was injured when a group of people pelted stones at a school bus. According to police, Gokul (11) of Bhavan's Vidya Mandir was injured when a group of four people pelted stones at a school bus. Private bus, autos and taxis kept off the roads.

Though private buses and lorries did not ply in this city, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation operated normal services and in some places, taxis and other modes of private vehicles were also seen.

No business establishment was closed and almost all the educational institutions and government offices functioned normally.

The agitating unions took out a protest march to the Accountant General's office in the morning.

Meanwhile, a report from Kozhikode said a bandh like situation prevailed in the district as almost all the shops and business establishments remained closed to express solidarity with the agitators.

Except for a few two-wheelers, vehicular traffic, including private buses, were off the roads.

However,the KSRTC operated skeleton services on select routes.

Offices,including government and banks, reported thin attendance as people were forced to remain indoors in the absence of public transport.

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

In the hilly regions, the strike was total as no private bus ran its services and shops and establishments were shut down. The KSRTC operated a few services.

UNI