BJP hartal in Palakkad passes off in full measure

The 24-hour hartal called by the BJP in Palakkad was complete and went off barring two untoward incidents. Stones were pelted at some interstate lorries damaging some and injuring two persons.

The hartal was called by the BJP following the Home Department’s decision to foster cases under Goonda Act against BJP and RSS workers following the recent killings of two CPI-M men allegedly at the hands of the BJP workers.

The BJP leaders claimed that the Home Department is behaving as an offshoot of the CPI-M district committee and that false cases are being fabricated against the BJP leaders and workers in connection with the murders.

The names were cleared from the CPI-M local offices.

The hartal which was called for 24 hours was total and complete. While the party had announced that essential services will be let off from the hartal, there were not much vehicles seen plying on the roads.

The BJP leaders took out processions in the city following the hartal call and leaders also addressed the gathering and thanked the people for the success of the strike.

BJP leaders said that the people of the district has given a fitting warning to the Government over its over indulgence in foisting cases against political opponents and added that the party would be forced to move ahead with other agitation programmes if the Home Department is not going back on its move to charge the BJP and RSS leaders with false cases and framing charges to put the leaders under the Goonda Acts.

The BJP which has strong political presence in the district, took this extreme step following the police atrocities and the torture of the party workers and local leaders with false cases registered against them.