Hartal Over Nithin Raj' Death Disrupts Traffic Across Kerala; Protest Erupts in Several Locations

Thiruvananthapuram: A statewide hartal called by various Dalit organisations demanding action against those responsible for the death of BDS student Nithin Raj of Anjarakkandy Dental College in Kannur is underway, with protesters blocking vehicles at several locations across Kerala.

Although the Action Council had earlier stated that vehicles would not be forcibly stopped, hartal supporters have blocked KSRTC buses at Thampanoor, Nedumangad, and Kaniyapuram. At Kaniyapuram, a bus was held up for over an hour, causing a traffic jam on the national highway.

In Kannur, protesters staged a sit-in on the road at Caltex, blocking traffic for around fifteen minutes before police arrived and removed them. Shops were forced to shut at some locations despite the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi announcing it would not participate in the hartal.

The hartal has been called with the following demands: immediate arrest of the teachers responsible for Nithin Raj's death; implementation of the Rohith Vemula Act; cancellation of the affiliation of Anjarakkandy Dental College; and payment of ₹10 crore in compensation to Nithin's family.