Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday 27 April 2010: 12 hour national hartal called by 13 parties including the left got underway today. The hartal is near total in the state with the Left cadres blocking trains at Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. KSRTC buses are keeping off the road.

The hartal from 6am to 6pm has been called in protest against the price hike of essential commodities. High police protection has been ensured in important centers including railway stations.
According to police no untoward incidents has been reported so far.

Apart from few two wheelers and private vehicles plying, the roads are having a deserted look. Shops and other industrial establishments have put their shutters. Passengers arriving by train got stranded in railway stations and trains are running late because of the blockade.