KOCHI: The Kerala High Court directed to charge from Dean Kuriakose, youth congress state chief, the loss of the hartal announced in the state following the murder of two activists in Kasargod.

The court also ordered to charge from Kasargod UDF chairman M C Kamrudeen and convener Govindan Nair, the expenses of the loss incurred in the district after the hartal called by the UDF in Kasargod. Apart from charging loss, the court has also directed to register case arraigning Kuriakose and UDF Kasargod office bearers for calling the hartal.

Meantime, the state government informed the court that widespread attacks were witnessed in the state on the hartal called by the youth congress. Leaders including Dean Kuriakose have so far not denied the responsibility of the hartal call. The government informed the court that the KSRTC alone had suffered a loss of Rs 1.10 lakh. The court has informed to entrust a separate commission to estimate the loss.

The court had levelled harsh criticisms against the hartal observed. The court had filed a suo moto case on it. The court had directed to send a notice to the leaders for contempt of court.