KANNUR: S R Associates, a hardware store at Mathamangalam in Kannur, was closed following strikes by group of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) load workers. The protesters are threatening and sending back the customers who come to the store. The situation does not allow me to continue my business, said the shop owner Rabi. A private channel had released the news. ‘I had invested Rs 70 lakhs for the shop. Now I am forced to close it within months of its opening’, added Rabi. However, the CITU said that it was protesting against the denial of jobs and had not threatened anyone. The store was closed as it did not have a panchayat license. I have asked the labour commissioner to give an explanation. The issue will be resolved soon, said minister V Sivankutty.

S R Associates, a hardware store, was opened on August 2, last year. The business was started in partnership with K A Sabeel, the owner of Star enterprises, a cement company based in Thrissur. The labour card for workers were also arranged through high court, for unloading goods in the store. Nevertheless, the CITU workers prevented the unloading of goods. The storeowner was also beaten up.

After the police intervened and registered a case, the CITU workers set up a tent in front of the store and started a strike. They also began threatening the customers who came to the store. Afzal, a CCTV shop owner in the area, who purchased from the shop ignoring the threats, was brutally beaten up by the workers. The CITU leaders are denying the incident despite the presence of the incident’s CCTV footage. The CITU is of the view that the strike will not end as long as the freight workers are allowed to unload the goods. They added that the closing of the shop is not a matter under their consideration.