KOTTAYAM: The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the LDF in protest against,the alleged, custodial death of Siby, 40, a Dalit, was partial and passed off peacefully in the district on Monday. Private buses and taxi vehicles kept off the roads. But KSRTC came to the rescue of hundreds of commuters by operating few services to various places on convoy basis. According to the police, no untoward incidents was reported.
However, sporadic incidents of road blockade were reported from some parts of the district. Government offices and banks functioned normally, but a poor turn out was witnessed. As many as 29 employees out of total 174 in the District Collectorate turned up for work.
While taxis and auto rickshaw services stayed off the roads, private vehicles, especially two-wheelers, could be seen on the roads. KSRTC Kottayam depot, which conducted long distance services, operated as many as 35 schedules out of the total 131 schedules of the depot.