THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Widespread incidents of violence and stone-pelting have been reported from various parts of the state in the hartal observed by a group of outfits against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Almost 233 people have been arrested so far. The arrests are part of precautionary measures to prevent violence. 51 people have been arrested in Thrissur, 35 in Idukki, 21 in Palakkad, 13 in Kannur, 12 in Kottayam and eight in Wayanad. Stones were pelted at buses all over the state. In Kannur, the protestors blocked a lorry and took the keys of it.

Reports say many buses were blocked in Malappuram, Manjeri and some other places. Shops opened were made to close. A large contingent of police has been deployed in the cities. The hartal has crippled life in Malappuram. Only a few private buses are seen in the roads. Hartal supporters continue to protest at Kunnammal. The protestors blocked KSRTC buses in Tirur. Hartal supporters including women, who blockaded the road in Kannur, were forcibly removed by the police. Almost thirty people have been taken into custody in Kannur. Protestors who came to block the bus in Palakkad were stopped by the police. Twenty five people have been taken into custody from here. Stones were pelted at a bus in Walayar and at a KSRTC bus in Aluva.

The hartal called by the Welfare Party, SDPI, BSP and some other organisations is being observed from 6 am to 6 pm. Ayyappa devotees and Ranni taluk have been exempted from the hartal. Polls to local wards will not be disrupted. Security has been tightened in the state to avoid violent incidents.

KSRTC buses are not operating services in routes where passengers are less in the capital city. Stones were pelted at a bus in Peroorkada. Buses are blocked in Palode. 108 Ambulance was vandalised in Karunagapally.