CPI(ML) sponsored hartal evokes partial response

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 8 (UNI) The CPI(ML) sponsored dawn-to-dusk hartal to protest against the Kerala Government's decision to avail loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) evoked partial response in the state.

Government offices and other private establishments reported normal attendance and most of the shops remained open.

Apart from stray incidents of stone pelting at KSRTC buses at Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur, the hartal was peaceful, police said.

Almost all the educational institutions functioned normally even as the school and University exams scheduled for the day were postponed.

Private bus services were hit in almost all the districts. In Thiruvananthapuram, however, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) run normal services.

The KSRTC also operated buses on long haul routes. Private vehicles, two wheelers and autorickshaws were on roads as usual.

A report from Kozhikode said normal life was partially affected in Malabar Region. Private buses were off the roads forcing people to remain indoors, police said.

Almost all the shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained shut in the region.

The KSRTC pressed additional fleet at select destinations from Kozhikode for into service the benefit of stranded passengers.

No untoward incident was reported in the state.

UNI