KOZHIKODE: For the first time in the history of the city, majority of shops opened during the 2 days of national strike called by trade unions against the anti-people policies of the NDA Government. The SM Street, which witnessed unprecedented violence during the hartal called by Sabarimala Karma Samithi with the support of BJP on January 3, was a happy abode on Wednesday as people in large numbers gathered with most of the shops remaining open.
The rush in the streets was missing as there was no public transport system including private and KSRTC buses, autorickshaws and other taxi services.
Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithy president T. Naseeruddeen told DC that 70 percent of the shops in the city were opened. The blue army of traders also was ready to intimate police as well as resist in case of any violence, he added.
Mr Naseeruddeen also said that the traders' community will go ahead with the anti-hartal movement and will open all shops on hartal days in future. An elaborate meeting of all trade and business organisations will be held in Kozhikode on Thursday to discuss the future course of action and also to compel the state government to bring in a legislation to ensure public life on hartal days, he said. "A law should be enacted banning hartal on the lines the government had banned nokkokooli in the state", he added.
The traders were happy that the city was almost peaceful on the two days of national strike. There was a high flow of private vehicles in the streets and the beach was abuzz in the evening. Three private buses also had conducted services to Medical College.
Only a few schools functioned during the strike days. A large posse of police had stationed in SM Street and other key locations of the city to ensure security to traders.
