Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Kasargod, Jan 3: The day-long hartal called by the district BJP committee on Tuesday January 3 in protest against the stone-pelting on its rally and subsequent road block and arrest of its leaders a day earlier, turned violent in Kasargod town with the police having to use four rounds of tear gas shells to control the situation.
The protestors also pelted stones at the police personnel. Clashes erupted between BJP workers and the police in several places across the town.
The protestors forcibly stopped vehicles plying on the roads and shut down shops.
Meanwhile, a BJP workers' rally held as part of the protest also took a violent turn. Several vehicles were damaged in the stone-pelting that ensued.
The bandh supporters also pelted stones at the cooperative banks run under the ruling CPI(M) government.
A tense atmosphere prevailed, and as the situation turned worse, the police resorted to lathi charge. Unable to control the mob, the police then hurled four rounds of tear gas shells.
Private and government bus services have been badly affected by the bandh. Only a handful of two-wheelers and some private vehicles were seen on the roads.
All shops and business establishments remain closed. Most of the schools and colleges have declared holiday and exams that were to be held on Tuesday were postponed. Even offices saw thin attendance.
The BJP workers forcibly stopped all vehicles moving from Mangaluru into the district via national highway. A family with an elderly lady returning to Mangaluru was also stopped, but the protestors let them go when they were told that the lady was sick and being taken to Mangaluru for medical care.
Train passengers who reached Kasargod early morning were stranded at the railway station due to lack of transport.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that 32 people including BJP state secretary K Surendran, BJP district president K Srikanth, Walson Thillengeri and others who were arrested for blocking the national highway on Monday January 2 were released the same night.
The Chandera police have registered two cases against BJP and CPI(M) workers in connnection to the incidents of January 2. The accused have been slapped with non-bailable charges. The complaint was filed by Chandera sub-inspector Anup Kumar.
However, the situation at Chervuthur and Cheemeni, where the incidents of January 2 took place, remained calm and shops functioned as usual, with bandh not affecting the areas at all.
In the clashes that took place on Monday, 12 police personnel including Hosadurg circle inspector C K Sunil Kumar were injured. Over 15 BJP and CPI(M) workers also sustained injuries.