Near-total shutdown in Kerala, normal life hit

Kerala witnessed a near-total shutdown on Wednesday as a result of the 24-hour nationwide general strike called by trade unions to protest the Centre's "anti-labour" policies, which brought daily life to a standstill.

- TDG NETWORK

Shops, offices and schools remained shut, while public vehicles stayed off the roads, leaving the streets deserted in the state.

Cutting across cities, towns and villages, the CPI(M)-ruled southern state is experiencing a complete shutdown after the strike began Tuesday midnight.

Only private vehicles could be seen plying on the state roads, and several people were stranded in bus stands and railway stations in many places.