Thodupuzha: The 12-hour hartal announced by the UDF in protest over not amending the Kerala Land Assignment Act and implementing the construction ban all over Idukki district has commenced. The hartal will take place on Friday from 6 am to 6 pm.

Milk, newspaper, hospital, drinking water supply, medical shops, exams, wedding and funeral are exempted from the hartal. Also pilgrimage, festivals and relief works will not be affected by the shut down.

The UDF leaders informed that they would not forcefully stop vehicles and close commercial establishments. Prior to the hartal, the order of construction ban was symbolically burnt at major centres in the district on Thursday evening.