Triplicane Urban Cooperative Society (TUCS), the oldest and largest in TN, has removed Sri Lankan biscuits from the shelves of its chain of stores and PDS shops following a protest by a little-known Tamil outfit.

Special officer R.G. Sakthi Saravanan issued the order effective immediately after receiving a petition from two members of Boycott Sri Lanka Team.

“We are shocked to learn TUCS stores in Chennai are selling biscuits and chocolates made in Sri Lanka,” the petition said.

“You must be aware the Tamil Nadu government adopted a resolution in the Assembly recommending an economic embargo on Sri Lanka because of the genocide it committed on Tamils. Therefore, it is the duty of Tamils to ensure we do not buy or sell Sri Lankan products. Please stop selling Sri Lankan products at the earliest at all TUCS stores,” it said.

Soon after, Mr Saravanan summoned the TUCS purchase officer and told him to get rid off all Lankan products. “These [Lankan products] procured from a local dealer were being sold at about 10 outlets. As soon as the matter was brought to my notice, I ordered their removal,” Mr Saravanan told DC, adding, “We are not losing much, about Rs 12,000.”

Lawyer Sudha Rama-lingam raised an alarm. “This is a knee-jerk reaction that denies thousands of TUCS customers the right to choose what they want to buy and eat. What if the Sinhalese retaliate. Colombo is full of our [Indian] traders and products,” she said.