Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 1 : Normal life in Kerala has been hit by a dawn-to-dusk shutdown being observed by BJP leaders and activists, in protest against the formation of the Salem Railway Division by bifurcating the Palakkad Division.

According to initial reports, the urban areas have been seriously affected by the shutdown.

Shops remained closed and no classes are being held in educational institutions.
In most towns, the movement of buses and trucks has been halted. However, private vehicles are plying in most places.

BJP State President P.K. Krishnadas had said that the Centre and State Governments had ridiculed Keralites by deciding to give a 79-km broad gauge line to the State, instead of the 623-km broad gauge line given to Tamil Nadu for forming the Salem division.

Earlier, Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan had requested the BJP to call off their shutdown. However, the party state unit maintained their stand as it is coinciding with the state-formation day and the visit of the President Pratibha Patil.

Meanwhile, tight security arrangements have been made in Thiruvananthapuram as President Patil will address the Public Reception Programme at Central Stadium today on the occasion of Kerala’s Foundation Day.

Patil will also release a document on Clean Kerala Mission and a logo on Kerala State Total Physical Fitness programme, besides distributing scholarships to students.

On Friday, the President will deliver the 17th Convocation Address at the Mother Teresa Women's University in Chennai.

She will return to Delhi on the same evening. (ANI)