THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the BJP in protest against Tuesday’s police lathi charge against BJP workers who laid siege at Peroorkada junction turned violent. A senior BJP leader was critically hurt in the incident, while several others sustained minor injuries.
The BJP workers who marched to the Kerala Law Academy in large numbers entered into a scuffle with the Police at around 11 AM. Reportedly, the police lathi charged the BJP workers and they retaliated with heavy stone pelting. As the workers started pelting stones, police encountered them with bursting grenades.
According to earlier reports, more than five persons were admitted to a hospital nearby in the aftermath. BJP state vice-president PP Vava sustained serious injury on his eyes besides head injuries. He was immediately shifted to the Medical college Hospital.
Several media persons were injured in the police lathi charge and BJP workers' stone pelting. The injured include The New Indian Express photographer Manu Mavelil, Asianet TV reporter Arunkumar and Dinakaran reporter Sajith Gopal.
The police took five persons into custody in connection with the incident.
Hartal total
The hartal in the district was complete as the educational institutions, shops and commercial establishments remained shut. While banks and many of the government institutions remained closed, the attendance was very low in those offices which remained open.
All public transport vehicles including taxis and auto rickshaws were off the road. KSRTC services largely remained affected. However, train services continued without disruptions.