The nation-wide bandh on Thursday evoked a partial response as shops here remained open in some areas. Government buses operated as usual and some private buses were also seen plying.
In Vellore, the shops were closed in Netaji Market and Long Bazaar. However, commercial establishments were open and conducted business as usual. Since fruit and vegetable markets were closed, people thronged the Uzhavar Sandhai. Most of the hotels remained closed with a message displayed that they would open in the evening. However, roadside eateries and tea stalls were open throughout the day. Schools and colleges functioned as usual, but only a few autorickshaws operated.
State vice-president and district president of the Lorry Owners Association, Dharmalingam said, “Around 9,000 lorries had stopped operations for the one-day bandh. Since the markets did not function, goods transportation also had come to a halt,” he reasoned.
Earlier, CPM members picketed the head post office in Vellore and raised slogans against FDI in retail. They were arrested and released later. Members of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sanga Peramaippu, headed by the district secretary Gnanavelu also staged a protest near Anna Kalaiarangam.
Members of CPI and CPM held a rally in Vaniyambadi. They were arrested when they attempted a rail roko. Most of the shops, except pharmacies, were closed in Ambur. S R Devadoss and Kumar, who led the Ambur taluk units of CPI and CPM, were held before they attempted a rail roko.
Most of the shops were closed in Dharnaanampettai market area and in old and new bus stands in Gudiyatham. Members of CPM, LPF and Secular Janata Dal held protests before they were arrested. Autorickshaws were off the roads in Walajah, Sholinghur and Kaveripakkam. In Palanipettai, Shuvarpet and Bazaar areas in Arakkonam, a majority of shops remained closed.
Comments
0 comment