Normal life in Wayanad was affected by the dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the United Democratic Front (UDF) on Thursday seeking a law to insulate people of the forested district from the Supreme Court’s order to impose a 1-km buffer zone around ecologically sensitive wildlife reserves and protected forests.
Attendance was poor in government offices. Only 40 out of the 141 employees turned up for duty at the collectorate, Additional District Magistrate N.I. Shaju said. Close to 30% attendance was recorded in taluk offices at Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery, and Vythiri, he added.
Private buses and taxis stayed off the road. KSRTC operated 12 of the 67 long-route services, including those to Coimbatore, Bengaluru, and Mysore from its Sulthan Bathery depot.
