THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dawn-to-dusk 12-hour hartal called by Hindu outfits began Thursday morning in protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa. Though some private vehicles are seen plying, public transportation has been completely disrupted. Protestors are blocking vehicles in Kozhikode. Stones were pelted at a hotel opened in Kozhikode. Stones were pelted at KSRTC buses in Perambra and Koyilandy. A CPM local committee office was set on fire at Thavanoor in Malappuram.

Meantime, police has informed to provide security to vehicles and shops. Shops are seen to be opened only in some places. Vypari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi leader T Nazeerudin alleged that police are not providing adequate security for shops. In many places protestors are forcing traders to down shutters.

In the wake of the violence witnessed in many places of the state over the entry of two women in Sabarimala, an emergency meet was convened by a team led by DGP and chief secretary. The meet discussed the steps to be taken during the hartal called by the Sabarimala Karma Samithi. The chief secretary has directed district collectors to be extremely alert and see that no violence erupts. DGP Lokanath Behera has warned of strict action and directed to arrest those indulging in violence. Normal life should not be paralysed. He has directed all zonal ADGPs and range IGs to take strict steps.

Meantime, BJP state committee has requested to stage protests and observe hartal peacefully. The UDF decided to observed Black Day today. Milk, dailies, marriage have been exempted from the hartal. Two women, Kanakadurga (44) and Bindu (42), created history be stepping into the hallowed precincts guarded by police three months after the Supreme Court's historic judgement lifting the ban on entry of girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age into the shrine of Lord Ayyappa, its "eternally celibate" deity.