CPM-Governor row escalates as ruling front plans hartal in Idukki during Arif Mohammed Khan's visit

The protest is over the alleged delay by the governor to give nod to the Government Land Assignment (Amendment) Bill passed by the Assembly in September.

Thiruvananthapuram: In sequel to the ongoing Governor - government rift in Kerala, the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala has called for a hartal in Idukki district on Tuesday as Governor Arif Mohammed Khan is scheduled to visit the district.

The protest has been announced over the alleged delay by the Governor to give nod to the Kerala Government Land Assignment (Amendment) Bill passed by the Assembly in September.

While a Raj Bhavan march was only planned earlier, with the Governor deciding to attend a function of the local traders organisation at Idukki on the same day, the left-front decided to observe hartal at Idukki on the same day.

Police are making tight security arrangements as CPM's student outfit SFI is also on an agitation against the Governor accusing him of nominating RSS-BJP sympathisers to universities.

The Kerala Government Land Assignment (Amendment) Bill passed by the Assembly would empower the government to give relaxation in the restriction that land assigned by the government should be used only for agriculture and housing purposes.

Even as it was aimed at helping the high range farmers, there were allegations that it was aimed at helping vested interest lobbies.