Thiruvananthapuram: The dawn-to-dusk hartal
called by the CPI(M)-led LDF in the district to protest
alleged police repression on pro-Left youth activists
protesting the petrol price hike disrupted normal life today.
Shops remained closed, schools and colleges went without
classes and taxis and autorickshaws kept off the road in the
capital city and adjoining areas.
Private buses did not ply but the state-run KSRTC
maintained most of its long-distance services to and from the
city.
Isolated incidents of stone pelting on vehicles had been
reported from some parts of the city.
Three government vehicles were torched yesterday as the
protest by CPI-M`s youth wing DYFI against petrol price hike
turned violent here.
Police also lathicharged and used water cannons as the
protesters broke barricades and barged into the compound of
the General Post Office in the city.
Government oil companies on Thursday hiked petrol price by
Rs 3.14-3.32 per litre after decline in the rupee`s exchange
value increased the cost of buying crude oil and widened
losses from fuel sales.
PTI
