Twenty20 food security market closed citing violation of election code of conduct, locals protest

KIZHAKKAMBALAM: Food security market of Twenty20 has been temporarily closed following a ban on providing goods at subsidized rates. The action of the collector, who is also the district election officer, is based on a complaint filed stating that it is a violation of the election code of conduct. Earlier, the Twenty20 medical store was stopped for violating the rules. Following this, the Electoral Commission has banned subsidies in the food security market until the end of the election process.

The Food safety market started in 2014. In 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021, elections were held at various levels but there was no ban. Twenty20 Party President Sabu M Jacob said that the complaint filed by CPM workers against the food security market is inhumane and unpardonable cruelty. The directive received from the State Election Commission on April 2 was issued as an order on the 12th, 10 days later. The order was deliberately delayed, knowing that the courts were on vacation for a month. The High Court had stopped the closure of the medical store, which had started after the election was announced. It is then, that the operation of the food safety market, which has been running for 10 years stopped.

Locals protested when they came to buy goods without knowing that the market was closed. Thousands gathered in front of the market since morning. As the protest intensified, the police removed the people who attempted to block the road.