Traders down shutters protesting retail giants

Thiruvananthapuram, June 27 (UNI) Traders in Kerala today downed their shutters in protest against the entry of retail giants in the state as part of their 12-hour shutdown stir.

The shutdown agitation called by the joint action committee of traders and merchants is backed by the ruling Left Democratic Front and the Opposition Congress.

The protesters, under the banner of the Kerala Vyapari-Vyvasayi Ekopana Samiti, the Kerala Vyapari-Vyavasayi Samiti and different trade unions took out a march to Raj Bhavan.

They were demanding that the state enact a legislation to restrict FDI in retail sector, non issue of license to big retail houses by local bodies, imposition of luxury tax on corporates entering the retail sector among other things.

The traders declared that they would continue their protest till the outlets of retail giants were permanently closed down.

Reports from across the state said the response to the protest was near total in most towns.

A report from Kozhikode said almost all the shops and establishments in major trade centres including Valiyangadi, S M street and Mavoor Road in the district remained closed.

The traders marched to the Income Tax office in city, urging the government to rollback the decision allowing retail giants to set up shops.

UNI