Hartal called by Congress total in Ernakulam district

Kochi, Aug 4 (UNI) The dawn-to-dusk 'hartal', called by the Congress here today to protest against the police lathicharge on its workers last evening, was total with the business establishments remaining closed and public transport staying off the roads.

The district-wide 'hartal' was called by KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala, who charged the police with acting in a brutal manner under LDF government's directions.

Police security was beefed up near the railway stations and bus stops to prevent any untoward incidents.

However, private vehicles plied normally and essential services such as milk, newspapers and medical services were exempted from the 'hartal'.

In the morning, Congress activists took out a rally from the DCC office here to the Police Commissioner's office to protest against the yesterday's lathi-charge.

Later, the Congress workers organised a 'dharna' outside the police commissioner's office. The 'dharna' was led by former DCC president Dhanapalan.

While no untoward incidents were reported from here or any other part of the district, tension prevailed in some areas as Congress workers forced the closure of a few shops which had opened in the morning.

Several Congress activists, including KPCC general secretary Ajay Tharayil and Leader of the Opposition in the Kochi Corporation A B Sabu were reported injured as the police resorted to a lathi-charge to break up a road blockade outside the DCC office.

The Congress workers had blocked the main Hospital Road outside the DCC office to protest against an attack on the office earlier in the day by SFI workers.

UNI