Tamil Nadu bandh: Traders bear brunt

CHENNAI: Trains were blocked, shops and petrol bunks closed and business affected. Normalcy was hit, due to the 12-hour bandh observed by various trade organisations and farmer associations in the state on Friday, to condemn the violence targeting Tamils in Karnataka and to seek a long-term solution for the Cauvery dispute. With transportation being hit, traders in the state suffered business loss to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore.  

“Almost 21 lakh shops remain closed throughout the state responding to the day long strike called by traders organisation and farmer associations. We have lost business worth Rs 15,000 crore and suffered a profit loss of Rs 1, 500 crore today,” rued Vikram Raja, president, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sanganagalin Peramaippu. Around 7,000 jewellers and Diamond shops were completely shut down across the state in solidarity with the strikers.

“We suffered a business loss of Rs 700 crore. But we don’t regret it as our cause is strong — water is more important than individual loss”, said Jayantilal Challani, president of Madras Jewellers and Diamond Merchant Association. Koyambedu market, which generally wears a crowded look, felt the heat of the bandh, supported by the Koyambedu wholesale vegetable market traders association. “All 4,300 shops had downed its shutters. We incurred a loss of Rs 50 crore”, says V.R. Soundarrajan, advisor, Koyambedu Vegetable Wholesale Traders Association.