Traders withdraw strike after CM call for talks

KOZHIKODE: The Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi withdrew from the decision to open shops every day from Thursday. T Nasruddin, state president of the Ekopana Samithi, said the withdrawal came as the chief minister called for talks. The discussion will be held in Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow.

The meeting convened by Kozhikode Collector N Tej Lohit Reddy yesterday had failed. Though it was informed that the discussion would be held in the presence of Forest Minister AK Saseendran, he did not turn up. The talks came to a standstill when traders decided that there was no other option but to open shops from Thursday to the 21st, the day of Eid. The collector warned that strict action would be taken if shops were opened in violation of the rules. City Police Chief AV George, Deputy Collector N Ramla, DMO Dr V Jayasree, Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi State Secretary K Sethumadhavan, Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi State President VKC Mammad Koya, MP Abdul Ghafoor, Manaf Kappad, Malabar Chamber of Commerce representative Haseeb, Hotel and Hotel Restaurant Association representative US Santosh Kumar and others were present at the discussion.