Hartal evokes near-total response

Kochi, May 24 (UNI) Shops and business establishments downed their shutters as the city-wide hartal called by trade organisations evoked a near-total response.

Business activity was hit in the commercial city of Kerala as major traders and business houses suspended their operations for the day in protest against the demolition drive launched by the district administration to evict encroachers.

Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry President E S Jose said the administration had not given sufficient time for the traders to remove illegal extensions on their own.

The businessmen were denied 'natural justice' by not allowing the stipulated time of one day to clear illegal protrusion in the buildings, he added.

UNI