Thursday, September 8 2005 12:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: The day-long motor strike called by trade unions in Kerala to protest the hike in petrol and diesel prices hit the mobility of people in most parts of the state today (Sept 8, 2005).

Reports from different parts said buses, taxis, trucks and commercial vehicles were staying off the road in response to the strike sponsored by the Left-dominated Motor Vehicle Workers Co-ordination Committee.

State-run KSRTC, however, maintained its services and no violence against them were reported from anywhere.

In most places, schools and colleges went without classes and many schools had cancelled the quarterly examinations scheduled for the day.

The strike, however, had little impact on the attendance in offices, banks and business establishments, as there was no roadblock to movement of private vehicles.

A Kozhikode report said the strike was near total in the northern districts where people rely heavily on private bus services.

Kottayam district had been exempted from the strike due to a local festival.

The unions wanted the Centre to roll back the latest hike in prices of petrol and diesel and the state government to reduce the local tax on them.