Bandh Evokes Mixed Response in Dists

MADURAI/COIMBATORE/TIRUCHY: The bandh call against FDI in multi-brand retail by 18 traders’ associations evoked mixed  response in the State on Thursday with traders in some cities observing a near-total bandh, while other cities had most number of commercial establishments open.In Madurai, a majority of shops, except for those in some pockets of the city, remained open. East Masi Street, which has a high concentration of grocery shops, wore a deserted look, while commercial centres around the Meenakshi Amman Temple on Vadambokki Street and West Tower street, were abuzz with activity. In Virudhunagar, members of several traders’ associations went on a fast. A rally was taken out from Desabandhu Grounds. In Nagercoil, except for a few tea stalls, all other shops at Kambolam grocery bazaar, at Kottar in the town, remained closed on Thursday. Shops and other business establishments in the rest of the town functioned as usual. Similarly, shops remained open and business as usual in the tourist town of Kanyakumari. There was a good response to the bandh  in Marthandam, Kulasekaram, and Nagacode. At Kaliyakkavilai, near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border in the district, shops functioned as usual. In Ramnad, various small traders associations took part in the bandh.In Coimbatore, the bandh was near total with 90 per cent of shops, including hotels, bakeries, grocery shops and departmental stores downing shutters.Main shopping areas in the city like Range Gounder Street and Big Bazar Street. In Tirupur, the bandh evoked partial response.In Tiruchy, most shops remained open.