Kannur: A complaint was lodged against CITU headload workers for allegedly beating up shopkeepers while unloading goods at Mathamangalam in Kannur. The workers are said to have assaulted the shopkeepers for refusing to pay the gawking wages ('Nokku Kooli').

Rabi Mohammad, owner of SR Associates in Mathamangalam here, and his brother Rafi were beaten up by the workers for refusing to pay the asked sum. The workers rushed to the duo when they were unloading the goods by themselves.

However, the two CITU workers have sought treatment at a hospital alleging that the shopkeepers have assaulted them. Traders have also come out against the CITU workers for demanding 'Nokku Kooli' in the area.

The owners had previously sought the permission of the court to unload goods into the shop using their workers. 'Nokku Kooli' is banned by the state government as well as the high court of Kerala.