See pics: PFI protest in Kerala turns violent

A day after Popular Front of India (PFI) leaders were arrested in a massive country-wide raid, the outfit's dawn-to dusk hartal began on Friday (September 23). Incidents of stone pelting and attacks on vehicles including KSRTC buses by protesters were reported from various places in Kerala. Protestors resorted to stone pelting even as the police remained a mute spectator.

PFI protesters go on a rampage, protest turns violent

Kerala witnessed widespread stone pelting at public transport buses, damaging of shops and vehicles, and sporadic incidents of violence in many places during the statewide dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Popular Front of India (PFI). Credit: PTI Photo

Even though the Kerala Police had made elaborate arrangements and warned of strict action against those who resort to violence, the PFI activists went on a rampage and pelted stones at numerous places. Credit: Twitter/pratheesh_Hind

Hartal supporters took out protest marches, blocked the vehicles and forcefully downed the shutters of shops in various places, where the outfit has a strong presence. Credit: PTI Photo

Besides police personnel, some bus and lorry drivers and commuters suffered injuries in stone pelting and other related incidents. Credit: Twitter/pratheesh_Hind

This picture shows the BJP office in Manjeri vandalised by PFI protestors. Credit: Twitter/pratheesh_Hind

Additional police personnel were deployed in and around the town as tension continued to prevail in the area. Credit: ANI Photo

The hartal was called by the PFI to protest against the raids in the offices and residences of its leaders and their subsequent arrests on Thursday by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other agencies for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country. Credit: PTI Photo

As many as 19 PFI activists, including the top brass of their leadership, were arrested as part of an early morning joint operation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and NIA on September 22. Credit: ANI Photo

This image shows a broken windshield of a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus during the 'hartal' called by PFI in protest in Kochi. Credit: PTI Photo

A PFI member is produced before court after a nationwide NIA raid in Kochi. Credit: PTI Photo