Traders call off protest on Thursday; shops to remain closed

Kozhikode: The Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi called off the decision to open the shops on Thursday following the discussions with the government. This was decided after the chief minister contacted their state president T Nazirudeen. The office bearers of the association will meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday.

The traders are protesting since Monday against the Covid-19 regulations which do not allow to open the shops regularly. In a bid to intensify the protest, they declared to open the shops on Thursday irrespective of the decision of the government.

Opposition leaders and several other organizations came in support of the traders. This had put the government in a fix.

The traders questioned the rationale behind using test positivity rate to decide the restrictions. They also complained that they were not consulted before framing such rules.