KOCHI: The statewide dawn-to-dusk hartal called by RSS following the murder of its activist in Kannur was complete in the district with some minor incidents of stone pelting reported from Kochi.
Stone pelting cases were reported from Pulleppady, Ernakulam south and Thrikkakara. While three persons threw stones at the RSS office in Pulleppady, hartal supporters targeted cars in Ernakulam south and Thrikkakara.
The Ernakulam central police registered cases against three persons, who came in an autorickshaw, for pelting stones at the RSS office. They also registered cases against a few RSS workers on a complaint lodged by the
autorickshaw driver. According to the driver, RSS workers had attacked him. The
Thrikkakara police also registered a case against BJP workers for attacking a car at Olimughal.
The hartal affected the functioning of almost all government offices in the district. While the collectorate witnessed 24% attendance, it was much lower in other government offices in the district. In several offices, even the heads of departments were absent. According to Kochi corporation officials, attendance was very low in the civic body's offices.
Train passengers were the worst affected as both private and Kerala state road transport corporation (KSRTC) buses and autorickshaws kept away from the roads. Except for two-wheelers, private vehicles also kept off the roads till 6pm.
The hartal also affected the functioning of city's IT hub Infopark which reported 45% attendance. "No untoward incident was reported from in and around Infopark. In order to help employees, vehicles were deployed on the Infopark-Palarivattom route with police escort," said
Hrishikesh Nair,
chief executive officer, Infopark. Police personnel were present both inside and outside the park.