Kerala - Kochi   

Traders' hartal today

Staff Reporter

In protest against the demolition drive

KOCHI: A joint action council of traders in the city has given a call to down the shutters on Thursday. The move is being taken to protest against the demolition drive in the city. The decision, taken at a meeting of the council, was announced by president of Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry E.S.Jose at a press conference here on Wednesday.

Mr. Jose said natural justice was denied to traders by the swift action taken by the authorities. The traders were not given enough time to prove their credentials. The traders threatened to initiate criminal action against the District Collector and other officials for the alleged arbitrary move.

Mr. Jose alleged that the action initiated by the authorities was unilateral. "We are not justifying encroachment," he said.

Democratic procedures should be adopted and action should not be taken according to the whims and fancies of officials. The traders had cooperated with the authorities in the widening of the Sahodaran Ayyappan road, he said.

The parts of buildings were razed to the ground by earthmovers and this had affected the strength of the remaining structure of the buildings. Many of the buildings on the MG Road were constructed 30 to 50 years ago.

It remains to be established as to who had given permission for them. The traders have been renewing the licences year after year, he said.

He also alleged that the entire operation was intended to help multi-nationals at a time when Smart City and other progressive projects were on the anvil.

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