Will not cooperate with hartal, will open shops tomorrow; traders come out against Congress' call for hartal

KOZHIKODE: The Congress had announced a hartal in Kozhikode district tomorrow following the clash that occurred in connection with the Chevayur Cooperative Bank election today. However, traders in the district have now come out against the hartal. Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) clarified that it will not cooperate with the hartal and that shops owned by its members will function tomorrow. KVVES also urged the Congress to back off from the hartal.

Earlier, the Congress had announced a hartal in the district from 6 am to 6 pm tomorrow. The clash took place during the Chevayur Service Co-operative Bank elections held today. Vehicles carrying voters were attacked. The polling was held at the Government Higher Secondary School, Parayanchery. The contest is between the official panel of the Congress and the Congress rebels backed by the CPM. The rebels are contesting in the name of the bank protection committee. The Congress has alleged that the CPM-backed Bank Protection Committee is behind the attack. Congress leaders demanded the cancellation of the election.