Life returns to normal in Kasargod after day-long LDF-BJP hartal

Kasargod, September 16: Life returned to normal in Kasargod district on Sunday after a day-long state-wide hartal called by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in protest against the increase in diesel prices.

Shops and business establishments reopened this morning and traffic on all routes was plying.

The hartal had evoked total response in Kasargod, where normal life was affected on Saturday. However, no untoward incidents were reported from any parts of the district, the police said. In response to the hartal call, the entire business and commercial activities came to grinding halt with shopkeepers downing shutters. Public transport vehicle operators kept off the roads.

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses did not ply, and many got stranded at railway stations. People could be seen walking long distances. The hartal supporters staged protest marches in major towns.

Special Correspondent writes from Kannur: The 12-hour hartal was near total in Kannur.

All shops remained closed and public transport vehicles kept off the road in response to the hartal call. The roads were largely deserted, though a few two-wheelers and cars were seen plying.

The KSRTC buses here did not operate their scheduled services. No hartal-related incidents were reported in the district.