Kerala: The Kerala high court today took a case on its own over the hartal declared by radical Islamic outfit PFI and subsequent sporadic incidents of violence in the state. It said hartal was banned by it earlier and the destruction of the public property cannot be accepted. The court also asked the state administration to take stern action against those who violate the court order banning hartals. It also asked the government to use all possible means to stop any form of violence.
Members of Kerala PFI announced a strike without prior information for 12 hours today starting at 6 am. KSRTC buses were attacked in Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha and Kollam, Two police personnel were attacked by two bike-borne PFI supporters in Pallimukku of Kollam during the protest. A 15-year-old girl and an auto-rickshaw driver suffered minor injuries in the alleged stone pelting in Kozhikode and Kannur respectively.
Menawhile in Tamil Nadu, police have deployed a heavy contingent in all the areas where the Popular Front of India (PFI) is strong. According to sources, Chennai, Dindigul, Coimbatore, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Salem, and Erode are the strong holds of PFI.
22 people were arrested in Kerala during the massive crackdown by the NIA and ED on Thursday morning.