The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Kerala on Friday is witnessing widespread incidents of violence with many people suffering injuries.
Stones were pelted at vehicles, including the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses, in various parts of the state. Several people, including a KSRTC driver and conductor, a 15-year-old-girl and a lorry driver suffered injuries.
The hartal, which was called in protest against the arrest of PFI workers by the NIA, has hit normal life in the state.
Shops and commercial establishments remained closed in almost all parts of the state. Even as Kerala KSRTC-operated services in the initial hours of the day, services from many depots were stopped following incidents of stone pelting at the KSRTC buses.
State Police Chief Anil Kant had warned of stringent action against those unleashing violence during the hartal. Even then the PFI activists resorted to violence.
At Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur, vehicles to airports also came under stone pelting. Explosive was hurled at a vehicle carrying newspapers for distribution in the morning. At Kollam district, PFI workers in a two-wheeler knocked down two police personnel who intervened in attempts by the activists to block people.
PFI workers also staged demonstrations at various parts of the state blocking vehicles on the main road. At Erattupetta in Kottayam, police opened lathi charge at PFI workers who tried to block vehicles.
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