In Kerala, normal life came to a standstill in the high range district of Idukki due to the 48-hour blockade strike by the High Range Protection Committee. The strike is called against the implementation of Kasturi Rangan Committee report on the Western Ghats. People started assembling in major roads of Idukki district from the early hours today.

The strike has affected the tourist activities in Munnar and Thekkadi, the main tourist attractions of the district. Traffic in the inter-state routes to Tamil Nadu is also disrupted. But the vehicles of the Sabarimalai pilgrims are allowed to move by the protesters. In the mean time, the opposition Left Democratic Front is observing a 12-hour state wide hartal today on the same issue.