Hartal to add fuel to fire tomorrow

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF and the BJP have called a hartal in the state on Monday in protest against the petrol price hike. LDF convener Vaikom Viswan told a news conference here on Saturday after the LDF meeting that they had earlier decided to support the hartal called by the Motor Vehicle Workers Unions affiliated to the Leftist central trade unions. But the LDF meeting discussed the petrol price hike and decided that instead of supporting the motor workers trade unions, it was imperative for the LDF to call a hartal. The BJP has called a dawn-to-dusk hartal demanding immediate rollback of the hike. The party would chalk out stronger agitation if the Centre is unwilling to roll back the price, BJP state president V Muraleedharan said.Meanwhile, hartal supporters on Saturday attacked 17 KSRTC buses in various parts of the district resulting in injuries to three bus drivers and a passenger in the hartal. A KSEB electrical section office was also attacked resulting in injuries to one lineman. Normal life was affected in the district with shops and establishments remaining closed and KSRTC discontinuing services.