The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala [Images] against the formation of Salem Railway Division by bifurcating Palakkad Division hit normal life in the state on Thursday.

The hartal did not spare the state capital where security had been tightened in view of President Pratibha Patil's [Images] engagements.

Early reports said the hartal seriously affected normal life in urban areas, but evoked partial response in small towns and villages.

In most towns, shops remained closed, educational institutions went without classes and buses and trucks were off the roads.

However, private vehicles were plying in most places.

The party state unit had rejected the plea from different quarters to call off the hartal as it coincided with the state-formation day and the visit of the President.