Thu Feb 13 07:10:03 UTC 2025: ## Wayanad Shut Down by Hartal Protesting Elephant Attacks
**Kozhikode, Kerala – February 13, 2025** – A dawn-to-dusk hartal (strike) organized by the United Democratic Front (UDF) brought Wayanad district to a standstill today, protesting the Kerala government’s perceived inaction on rising elephant attacks.
Congress, Indian Union Muslim League, and allied party activists blocked roads, forcing the closure of numerous shops. Altercations with police were reported in several locations, leading to the detention of some Congress workers. While private buses suspended services, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses and private vehicles were seen on the roads.
The Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, representing merchants and traders, appealed to the district police chief for protection, citing the illegal nature of the hartal and its impact on the approximately 20,000 shops in the district.
This is the second hartal in as many days in Wayanad. A previous strike on February 12th followed the deaths of two men—Manu from Tamil Nadu and Balakrishnan from Attamala—who were killed in separate elephant attacks. The increasing number of such incidents has fueled public outrage and prompted the UDF’s strong response.
First Piper 