Idukki, Tuesday, 23 February 2010: Hartal in Peerumedu, Udumbanchola, Devikulam taluk started today morning in a peaceful note. The hartal is total with all sort of transport services including KSRTC keeping off the road. Shops and other commercial establishments remain closed.

It was called by Hirange Samprakshana Samithi flaying the government’s decision of declaring these taluks as Ecologically Fragile Land.

The hartal is conducted from 6 in the morning till 6 in the evening. CPI(M), UDF had extended their support for the same. Government on their part has refuted the allegations regarding EFL.

Binoy Viswam, forest minister and KP Rajendran, revenue minister had on Monday clarified that EFL is not presently on the government agenda.