THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Protests rippled in the state capital as the NDA staged a blockade of the secretariat against the government on Monday. Thousands of activists blockaded the gates of North, South and YMCA sections of the Secretariat. With this, the city witnessed traffic disruptions. No violent incidents took place as the activists and the police maintained restraint.

Protest venues were also set up in front of each gate. The main stage was at the North Gate. The ministers and employees reached the office through the Cantonment gate which was not besieged by the workers. Vehicles of employees and ministers were allowed to pass from the bakery junction side. Police set up barricades on the front side of the AG's office and near the Secretariat 2nd Annex. Even pedestrians were not allowed in either place.

By 8.30 pm on Sunday, people from many places had come for the siege. The blockade started at 6 am yesterday. Leaders started speaking at all three venues from the morning. Activists kept arriving from many places. The excitement peaked in the afternoon when BJP national president JP Nadda arrived in an open jeep through the South Gate. Even then activists, including women, were arriving

Many people collapsed in the hot sun. Food and water were arranged for the workers. BJP state president K Surendran alleged that many activists could not reach as they were stopped by the police on the road.