24-hour general strike paralyses Kerala

The 24-hour general strike in Kerala called by nine trade unions in protest against the United Democratic Front (UDF) government's "anti-people and anti-labour policies" threw normal life throughout the state out of gear.

Considering the ill-effects of the protest action it was similar to a shudown which the Kerala High Court has banned.

In the capital and other cities and towns throughout the state, all markets, shops and educational institutions remained closed and vehicles kept off the roads. Only two-wheelers and a few cars were seen plying.

Barring a few cases of stoning of vehicles, no cases of violence were reported. Many of the roads, including the national highways, were blocked to prevent traffic. About 200 people, including 150 from the state capital, were rounded up by police as a precautionary measure.

The government move to secure a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) "surrendering the state's" interests‚ figured prominently among the "anti-people policies" listed by the trade union leaders.

They say that by agreeing to the terms of the loan, the state would scuttle its development plans.