Traders close shops in Bhubaneswar to protest MNC outlets

Bhubaneswar, Nov 7 (UNI) Business establishments and markets in the state capital remained closed today following a bandh called by the Orissa Byabasaee Mahasangha (OBM) to protest against the opening of wholesales and retail outlets by the multinationals in Orissa.

The traders, who have been opposing the opening of Reliance Fresh in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, took to the street today after the government had allowed the Reliance Fresh to open its outlets in Bhubaneswar.

Holding placards and shouting slogans against the MNCs, the small traders and vendors marched the main thoroughfares of the city and blocked the busy MG Marg for several hours in support of their demands.

They later dispersed from the MG Marg but threatened to intensify the agitation if the government allowed the MNCs to open their retail outlets in Orissa.

The dawn-to-dusk trade bandh call virtually brought the trading and business to a grinding halt in Bhubaneswar as almost all the small shops were closed in response to the bandh call.

UNI