Tamil Nadu downs its shatters for Eelam Tamils

Friday, 31 October 2008

CHENNAI: Shops, establishments and other business units in the state of Tamil Nadu and the Union territory of Puducherry (formerly Known as Pondycherry) down their shatters on Friday, October 31 to show their solidarity with Eelam Tamils and to urge the Centre to intervene and ensure a ceasefire is brought in force in Sri Lanka.

 

The 12-hour shutdown observed from 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs on Friday. Most shops were closed not only all over Tamil Nadu but also in neighbouring Puducherry on Friday.

Mr. Vellaiyyan, the chief of Tamil Nadu traders’ federation, said over 5,500 bodies affiliated to the federation - with a membership of 2.5 million members — voluntarily took part in the protest.

Asia's largest perishable goods market at Koyambedu in Chennai, which has roughly about 2500 wholesale shops, was completely shut down from 12 midnight Friday. Consequently, about half a million fruit/vegetable shops which get their supplies from here, were also shut down. This market employs about 10,000 workers and 500 drivers.

“It is our demand that Sri Lanka should put a stop to the war against the Tamils. We will continue to provide support for the Tamils and raise our voices against the atrocities and we are also ready to face any challenge that will come in our way,” said Komagan, Secretary, Koyambedu Vegetable Market, Chennai.

R Alagiri and Mohammed Nizam, organisers of the Puducherry State all Traders Association, also claimed the shut down is a total success in the Union territory Puducherry as well.
 

Evening papers and television channels in India labelled the shot down a hundred percent success.

On Saturday, November 1st, the film artists stage a famine protest in Chennai, in support of Eelam Tamils and fund will be collected from the participants to the CM relief fund.

The State government of Tamil Nadu has so far collected over Rs.32 million in the last three days as relief for Sri Lankan Tamils, according to a government statement.