Sporadic violence in CPM strike

Party protest against Kerala’s revenue section for taking action against land encroachment

Kerala’s hill district of Idukki, known for its plantations and tourism resorts, witnessed yet another hartal (shutdown strike) yesterday, leading to violent incidents and inconvenience for domestic and international tourists.

The strike was called by the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist, against action by the revenue department. The state revenue department had in recent weeks pulled up a series of resort and land owners for alleged encroachment and violations of land usage.

Communist rivalry

The strike was held in 10 panchayats in the district. Politically, the strike was significant because the Communist Party of India, the chief coalition partner of the CPM in the Left Democratic Front government, had decided to keep off yesterday’s strike. The CPI handles the revenue portfolio.

The strikers were demanding that the curbs on construction in the area be lifted, and change the provisions laid down in the environment protection rules that classify many areas in Idukki district as environmentally fragile land.

The strike supporters stopped government-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses, and also blocked the passage of some international tourists. Police took into custody five persons accused of blocking a vehicle carrying international tourists and assaulting the vehicle driver.

Commentators on social media wondered how a ruling party could hold a strike, and why they should be protesting when they were holding the reins of government.