The UDF has declared a hartal in Wayanad, alleging that the government has failed to prevent wildlife attacks. Essential services have been exempted from the hartal. A protest march by the UDF will also be held today in conjunction with the hartal. Private bus operators have decided not to operate services in the district, considering the possibility of conflict.
Travel for milk, exams, newspapers, weddings and hospital needs has been exempted from the hartal. Meanwhile, long-distance buses have started operating from the Bathery KSRTC stand in the morning. Criticizing the UDF hartal, LDF leaders criticized Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi and former MP Rahul Gandhi, saying that they cannot shirk responsibility related to wildlife attacks.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Traders and Industry Coordinating Committee has announced that it will not cooperate with the hartal. It cannot agree with the method of paralyzing people’s lives by conducting a hartal. The organization expresses its deep sorrow over all the incidents of deaths due to wild animal attacks. However, it cannot agree with the methods of protest that paralyze the Wayanad district in the name of that. The Kerala Traders and Industry Coordinating Committee Wayanad District Committee has clarified that the government should provide appropriate compensation and other arrangements to the dependents of those killed in wild animal attacks.
