Anti-Sterlite protest: Over 85 per cent shops down shutters in Kovai district

Coimbatore: Normal life was affected in Coimbatore district on Thursday after 2,000 shops downed shutters in response to the call given by the traders’ federation, condemning the police firing at Thoothukudi against anti-Sterlite protesters, while many shops in the city opened after noon.

The violence that broke out in Thoothukudi a couple of days ago led to the death of more 13 persons who took part in the protest, demanding the permanent closure for the Sterlite copper plant there.

The joint forum of Tamil Nadu All Traders Association’s president T. Vellaiyan called for downing shutters on Thursday across the state to condemn the police firing at Thoothukudi.

In response to the call, many wholesale grocery shops on Range Gounder Street, Uppara Street and Big Bazar Street remained closed for the entire day while a few electrical shops belonging to north Indians remained open on Oppanakara Street. Small scale industries and spare parts shops in Pappanaickenplayam and Avarampalayam remained closed.

More than 85 per cent of grocery shops, hotels, sweet stalls, bakeries, roadside eateries, garment shops in the suburbs including at Mettupalayam, Valparai and Pollachi also remained closed today.