Normal life in Kerala was severely affected following the 12-hour strike called by the BJP, VHP and other Hindu outfits, to protest against the ''attack on Sabarimala pilgrims and vandalism near Guruvayur'' on December eight. While shops and commercial establishments remaining closed, the KSRTC and private buses, taxis and autorickshaws remained off the roads, reports said. Train services, however, were not affected.

The strike turned violent at Hosdurg in Kasaragod where police fired six rounds into the air to disperse two clashing groups. Minor incidents of clashes, stone throwing and arson were reported from at least 100 centres in the state. Chief Minister A K Antony told newspersons after a meeting of the state cabinet, which assessed the law and order situation, that no major untoward incident had been reported from any part of the state during the first six hours of the strike.

The police had effected 725 preventive arrests till Monday morning. The police had been given ''total freedom'' to put down with an iron hand the religious fundamentalists and anti-social elements trying to disrupt communal peace and harmony in the state.
Bureau Report