CM pacifies traders; Saturday's protest put on hold

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi has put their decision to open shops tomorrow on hold after their discussion with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday.

The chief minister will declare the relaxations to the regulations later. We will decide the future of the protest after that, the Samithi state president T Nazirudeen told reporters here.

The chief minister assured the traders to relax the rules for Bakrid. He heard all our demands and responded kindly. We sought permission to open shops till Onam and he agreed. He also agreed to resolve issues with electricty bill, sales tax, GST and welfare funds, Nazirudeen added.

Nazirudeen earlier today lashed out at the government and called to open the shops on Saturday.