Hartal called in Mararikulam area of Alappuzha district tomorrow

Alappuzha, May 22 (UNI) An all-party meeting convened here this evening has called for a dawn-to-dusk 'hartal' in the Mararikulam area in this district tomorrow following clashes between local people and the workers of a coir factory here earlier today.

The Mararikulam assembly constitutency is represented by Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac.

The trouble started this morning after local people, led by DYFI activists, pelted stones at 'Palm Fibre', a major export-oriented coir factory. The local people were protesting against the alleged encroachment by the factory on public land.

As police failed to check the stone-pelting, the agitated workers of the company came out to resist the attackers and clashed with them. Three people were reportedly injured in the clash.

UNI