Traders to greet Advani with black flag, to burn 'VAT Rule' in Guj

Ahmedabad, Apr 5 (UNI) The call for indefinite 'Gujarat Bandh' given by Gujarat Vepari Hitrakshak Samiti in protest against Value Added Tax, which began with sporadic violence and arson here today, seems to gain momentum in other parts of the state.

The samiti at the end of its general meeting here this evening gave a call to all constituents to greet Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani with black flags at every town he is scheduled to touch during his Rath Yatra starting tomorrow.

The back flag demonstration has been arranged in protest against police lathicharge on peaceful demonstrators in front of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) yard in the afternoon.

The samiti has also given a call for making a bonfire of the VAT Rules in every city and town tomorrow.

At the seme time, samiti leader Jayendra Tanna in a statement appealed to traders to observe peace and restrain at all cost, befitting Mahatma Gandhi's land.

With the implementation of VAT, the prices of most items are likely to go up in the state by 5-7 per cent across the board, the release said.

Meanwhile, All Vadodara Vepar Vikash Association (AVVVA), an apex body of about 70 different traders associations in the city, decided to observe ''Vadodara Bandh'' and take out rallies tomorrow protesting against VAT.

The association, gave the bandh call at an emergent meeting of AVVVA held under the chairmanship of its VAT committee convenor Paresh Parikh.

UNI TEAM-VKC PP TM RK2156