Transport protest turns as bandh in Kasargod
Kasargod: The protest called by Motor Transport Organisations demanding the withdrawal of the Central Government’s Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill has evoked good response and created a bandh-like situation in Kasargod.
The services of KSRTC and private buses have been suspended. Only a handful of private vehicles are on the road. Lorries, auto rickshaws, and taxies have stayed off the road to support the strike. Shops are closed in the wake of the protest. Most of the educational institutions have declared a holiday.
On Monday, a hartal was in place condemning the murder of Uppala Somkala’s CMP activist Abubakkar Siddique in Manjeshwar taluk. Today, there is a bandh following the motors strike. The normal life has badly been affected by this. However, no untoward incidents have been reported.
All workers unions have supported the strike except the BJP-led Labour union BMS.
The nation-wide strike has been called on to demand the withdrawal of the Central Government’s Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill and hikes in insurance premium and fuel prices.
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Violence reported in several parts of Kerala after civic poll results
Kozhikode (PTI): Violence erupted overnight at various places across Kerala, particularly in northern districts, following the announcement of local body election results, police said.
In Eramala in Kozhikode district, tension prevailed throughout the night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress office, was allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers.
According to an FIR registered at Edachery police station, around 200 people marched towards the Congress office carrying dangerous weapons and vandalised the building, causing damage estimated at around Rs five lakh.
A statue of late prime minister Indira Gandhi was also damaged in the attack, police said. Soon after, UDF activists gathered at the spot, further aggravating the situation.
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However, with the deployment of additional police personnel, the situation was brought under control, an officer said.
Police said another violent incident was reported at Marad, where stones were allegedly pelted at a UDF victory procession, leaving several persons injured.
In Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police registered a case after a car carrying a UDF activist and his family members was allegedly attacked by around 40 CPI(M) workers, an official said.
Sultan Bathery police also booked UDF activists in a separate incident for allegedly attacking a CPI(M) worker who objected to the bursting of crackers near his house, the officer said.
In Panoor in Kannur district, houses of several Muslim League activists were allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers. Vehicles parked at the houses were also damaged.
According to Panoor police, the violence broke out after a UDF victory rally was allegedly stopped by CPI(M) workers armed with swords and daggers. Some UDF leaders sustained injuries in the clash.
Clashes were also reported between UDF and LDF workers at Ulikkal in Kannur district, though police intervention brought the situation under control later in the night, an officer in the Ulikkal police station said.
In Bedakom in Kasaragod district, an LDF victory march turned violent after CPI(M) activists allegedly intercepted UDF workers passing through the area. Some policemen who intervened suffered minor injuries, an officer said.
Similar violence was reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district following clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers. Police said workers from both sides sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals. Cases will be registered after formal complaints are received, police said.
