Youth Congress workers' murder: Unexpected hartal hits normal life in Kerala

Kanhangad: The unexpected hartal which was initially declared only in Kerala’s Kasaragod district by the Congress and UDF, was later extended across the state by the Youth Congress over the killings of its workers.

Despite the state police chief Lokanath Behera’s appeal, normal life has been hit on Monday. As per sources, stone pelting incidents happened in Kozhikode district. No casualties were reported.

As per reports, hartal sympathisers forcefully closed shops at Kilimanoor in Thiruvananthapuram. The Youth Congress activists blocked KSRTC buses at Attingal.

On Sunday, two Youth Congress workers were hacked to death in conflict with CPM at Kallyot, Periya near Kasaragod in Kerala. The victims are identified as Kallyot natives Kripesh, 21 and Sarath Lal,27. Meanwhile, the Congress alleged that CPM activists were behind the attack. The police said they had launched an investigation.

The Kerala high court has filed a suo moto case against the Youth Congress for calling for hartal. The case is for contempt of court. The court had earlier directed not to announce hartal without notice.