A statewide hartal called in protest against the death of Nithin Raj, a BDS student of a dental college at Ancharakandi in Kannur, began on Tuesday morning.
The hartal, organised by a coalition of Dalit organisations, is being held from 6 AM to 6 PM demanding the arrest of those responsible for the student’s death.
Protests were reported from several parts of the state, with demonstrators blocking buses in some areas. However, organisers said private vehicles would not be stopped and termed the protest a “people’s hartal”.
The Nithin Raj Action Council had earlier clarified that the hartal would not be enforced forcibly and urged the public to cooperate voluntarily. Essential services have been exempted, while trade bodies said shops would remain open.
Despite these assurances, disruptions to public transport were reported in multiple locations as the protest gained momentum.
