In the wake of a wild elephant attack that resulted in the death of a young man, a hartal is being observed in Wayanad today. The hartal has been called by the farmers’ organization Farmers’ Relief Forum (FRF) and the Trinamool Congress. It will be observed from 6 AM to 6 PM. However, none of the major political parties have extended their support for the hartal. The Traders’ and Businessmen’s Coordination Committee has also stated that they will not cooperate with the strike.
Private Bus Operators Association District Secretary Ranjith Ram Muralidharan said that although he shares the grief of the family of the deceased in the elephant attack, he will not participate in the hartal to stop the buses.
We cannot participate in the strike by stopping the bus at this time when taxes have to be paid. All arrangements have been made to operate the bus service today. The bus operators’ office bearers also demanded that the district administration should make arrangements for the smooth operation of the service tomorrow.
