CHENNAI: Most of the shops in the city remained closed on Thursday after the two major traders’ associations called for a dawn-to-dusk strike to protest against the Centre’s decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in the multi-brand retail sector. While the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramipu, led by A M Vikiramaraja, held an oath-taking stir to protect Indian traders near Gandhi Statue, Marina, their rival group, the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peravai, led by T Vellaiyan, organised a day-long fast.
Traders said the State bandh was violence-free and more than 80 per cent traders had supported the agitation to send a strong message to the Centre. Even big shopping complexes were open. Addressing the traders, Vellaiyan said, “Allowing FDI in retail sector is a classic case of betraying crores of small traders.”
The strike stopped short of bringing activity to a grinding halt in the city. While most small shops remained shut, some retails chains were open for business. “Some shops in my area downed their shutters. But the tea shops and a few others were open,” said Arjun, a resident of Kilpauk.
The bandh appeared to be confined only to grocery shops with most of the other retail shops selling general products remaining open on Thursday. In a few areas, supermarkets were shut. A Poonamallee resident said that except for cellphone recharge outlets, most of the shops were shut. Though shops near the Guindy railway station were shut, a few were seen doing business with shutters half down.
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