Traders' strike in UP evokes mixed response

Lucknow, Mar 2 (UNI) The 24-hour strike called by the Uttar Pradesh Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal (UPVPM) to protest against ''anti-trader'' policies of the Central and the state governments today evoked a mixed response across the state.

While the UPVPM faction led by former BJP MP Shyam Bihari Mishra downed the shutters of their establishment, the other group led by Banwari Lal Kanchal did not support the strike.

A report from Kanpur said that Mr Mishra claimed that trading establishments in Kanpur, Farrukhabad, Gonda, Baharaich and Basti remained closed as part of the strike.

Mr Mishra said the strike call had been given to protest the ''anti-trader'' policies of the Central and state governments and in support of the demand for scrapping Form 31 used in inter-state trade and the withdrawal of development tax in UP.

Meanwhile, the leader of the other faction of UPVPM, Mr Kanchal said his body did not participate in the strike and will instead hold a rally at the Lakshman Mela Ground in Lucknow on April 28 in support of their demand.

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