The Hindu : Kerala News : Traders’ strike total in Malappuram

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Thursday, Jun 28, 2007
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Kerala

Traders’ strike total in Malappuram

Staff Reporter

United they march: Traders take out a march to the Head Post Office in Kannur on Wednesday in connection with the State-wide agitation organised by the Committee for Protecting Traders and Job in protest against the entry of multinational companies into the retail sector.

MALAPPURAM: The strike called on Wednesday by traders and trade unions in protest against the entry of multinational companies into the retail sector was total and peaceful across the district.

Normal life was affected as traders, both big and small, closed their shops on Wednesday. The hill produce market at Tirur and the areca-nut markets at Changaramkulam and Pulamanthol wore a deserted look as merchants refrained from trading. The strike affected towns and villages alike. Even those running bunks and operating handcarts did not function. Traders and trade union activists took out a joint rally to the District Collectorate and staged a dharna in front of the Collectorate. T.K. Hamza, MP, inaugurated the dharna. Traders’ association leaders Kunhava Haji and S. Dinesh, and trade union leaders Wandoor Hyderali, K.T. Kunhan and V. Balakrishnan led the march. Mr. Hamza warned the traders against allowing multinational monopoly in the country.

He said giant companies could only be prevented from swallowing local markets through a concerted effort. People should take up the cudgels for their rights, he said.

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