General strike near total in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta

The nationwide general strike called by trade unions on Thursday brought Kottayam and Pathanamthitta to an almost complete standstill.

The strike was largely peaceful, but normal life was severely affected with all commercial establishments, including shops and restaurants, remaining closed. Public transport ground to a halt as private buses, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) services and taxis stayed off the road.

Isolated incidents

There were isolated incidents of protesters blocking vehicles and forcing commercial establishments to shut down. In Changanassery, demonstrators compelled a restaurant in Paippad to close, while in Kuravilangad, a KSRTC bus attempting to operate a service was stopped.

Despite the shutdown, a large number of private vehicles and two-wheelers continued to move, providing some relief to motorists. Petrol stations in several localities also remained open.

In Pathanamthitta, exemptions were granted to Sabarimala devotees and those travelling to the Maramon Convention. The procession connected with the Cherukolpuzha Hindu religious meet proceeded without disruptions, though there were minor incidents in some areas.

Government offices, banks and other official establishments were nearly paralysed. Offices in the District Collectorates reported low staff attendance.

Trade union leaders organised protest marches across various centres in solidarity with the strike.