Sporadic incidents of violence mark hartal in state. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sporadic incidents of violence’s were reported from many parts of the state Thursday in connection with the CPI (M)-sponsored dawn-to-dusk hartal to protest the arrest of its senior leader P Jayarajan in connection with a murder case. Reports from different parts of the state said shops, business establishment and educational institutions remained closed, government offices registered thin attendance while public transport went off the roads in the hartal that affected normal life. A hartal supporter, who was participating in a protest march in Palakkad, died following a heart attack. Though Shanmughan (44) was rushed to a nearby hospital by CPI (M) activists, his life could not be saved. In other places, CPI (M) supporters pelted stones at KSRTC buses and even private vehicles. Several party offices belonging to the Congress and the IUML were ransacked by the CPI (M) activists in Kannur where two companies of Central Rapid Action Force had been deployed to meet any eventuality. A report from Kozhikode said offices reported thin attendance due to non-availability of transport. Police said hartal supporters pelted stones at Kerala State Electricity Board office at Nilambur damaging it partially and Feroke Police Station in Kozhikode, adding they had also thrown a bomb at a police jeep in politically sensitive Nadapuram. The party activists, shouting slogans against the arrest, took out demonstration in Kozhikode city. CPI (M) Kerala State Committee member and Kannur District Secretary P Jayarajan was arrested yesterday and remanded in custody for 14 days in connection with the murder Indian Union Muslim League youth wing activist Abdul Shukkoor..

Posted on :10:09:25 Aug 2, 2012