Traders’ bandh likely to hit normal life today in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: Normal life in the state is likely to be affected as a section of traders along with milk suppliers and pharmacists have called for the bandh on Tuesday. The ruling party AIADMK will observe a fast at Chepauk. Across the state, ministers and important leaders will observe hunger strike in the districts.  However, the main opposition party, DMK, has called for a bandh only on April 5. The Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers Employees Welfare Association and Tamil Chemists and Druggists Association will shut shops, taking the calls of Vanigarsankangalin Peramaippu leader A M Vikiramaraja. 

Despite DMK working president MK Stalin’s appeal to postpone the shutdown called for April 3,  Vikiramaraja categorically stated that his organisation would go ahead with the stir as announced earlier. 
Talking to reporters after meeting Stalin at his residence in Chittaranjan Salai in Alwarpet on Monday, he said he had explained to the DMK leader about the reasons for his inability to postpone the stir. 
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association, which has over 30,000 members will join the traders association’s agitation. 

N Anandan, admin secretary, TNCDA, said in a press note that the TNCDA would join Vanigar Sangagalin Peramaippu and  down the shutters from 6 am to 6 pm. Over 30,000 people from 31 district associations affiliated to the TNCDA will join the protest. 

Milk supply unlikely in many spots
Also more than 50 to 60 per cent households in Chennai are unlikely to get milk as a section of traders and milk dealers will hold a statewide protest on Tuesday.S A Ponnusamy, founder and president, Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers Employees Welfare Association, told Express that though the stir is from 6 am, he has asked the dealers to join the bandh call by 9 am.However, milk supply will be hit in the city as most of retail shops which supply milk to nearby resident will remain shut. “This would affect the supply of milk as traders owing an allegiance to one of the unions lead by Vanigarsankangalin Peramaippu leader A M Vikiramaraja will 

shut their shops from 6 am,” warned Ponnusamy.
Koyambedu market vendors also will take part in the bandh on Tuesday. “All shops in the Koyambedu market will be shut till 5 pm. The vendors also will observe a one-day fast ,” said M Thiyagarajan, president, Koyambedu Kaai, Kani, Malar Vyabarigal SangamT Natarajan, general secretary, Chemists and Druggists Association, Chennai, said association members would keep pharmacies open, but wearing black badges. However, petrol bunks will remain open and transport services will not be affected.