Kerala bus stir: Normal life remains crippled for third day

Indefinite strike demanding fare hike by private bus operators in Kerala continued for the third day today causing hardship to commuters even as efforts were on to end the deadlock.

Transport minister Jose Thettayil has called a meeting of representatives of private bus operators later in the day.

Meanwhile, the ruling Left Democratic Front is meeting here and issues connected with the bus strike will also be taken up for discussion, party sources said.

In a bid to tackle the problem, the state government yesterday decided to take steps for bringing private bus service under Essential Services Maintenance Act.

Government also decided to introduce more Kerala State Transport Corporation services in places that were badly hit by the strike.

The strike, however, did not affect the state capital as private buses, operating on temporary licenses, conducted their services.