Hartal near-total in Pathanapuram

KOLLAM: The derogatory remarks made by K B Ganesh Kumar against Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan triggered widespread protests in the district. Hundreds of activists of the Left parties took to the streets and burnt the Minister and Government Chief Whip P C George in effigies on Thursday night and Friday. The dawn-to-dusk hartal, called by the LDF, in Pathanapuram, was near-total and remained peaceful on Friday. The SFI and the DYFI activists burned the Minister and Chief Whip in effigies at various places, including Kollam, Kottarakkara and Karunagappally.Few minor incidents of stone-throwing were reported during hartal. The activists destroyed the banners and boards erected by the UDF in the area as part of the meeting.Meanwhile, the CPI Pathanapuram constituency committee registered complaints against Minister Ganesh Kumar and Government Chief  Whip P C George at the Pathanapuram Police station for making insulting remarks against V S Achuthanandan and A K Balan MLA. The Pathanapuram Police told ‘Express’ that AIYF Pathanapuram committee secretary S M Sherif filed a complaint against Ganesh Kumar for his inflammatory comments leading to public unrest.CPI Pathanapuram committee assistant secretary M Giyasudheen also filed a complaint against P C George for his remarks insulting the womanhood.