The Hindu : Vellaiyan arrest triggers widespread protest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 03, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Vellaiyan arrest triggers widespread protest

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

CHENNAI April 2. The last night arrest of the State president of the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangakalin Peravai, T. Vellaiyan, evoked widespread protest from traders in most parts of the State today.

Traders led by P. Srinivasan, Thanjavur district secretary, took out a procession and staged a demonstration at Thanjavur. They also closed shops and observed a bandh. The traders said the arrest was "vindictive'' after the success of the all-India bandh protesting the Value Added Tax in Tamil Nadu.

The bandh was observed after their efforts to meet the Chief Minister and explain their position failed. Mr. Vellaiyan himself clarified that the bandh was not against the Government but was only to highlight the problems they might face when VAT was introduced. But the Government, instead of calling them for talks, had arrested Mr. Vellaiyan, the traders said demanding his immediate release.

The Government should hold talks with the traders and reconsider the decision to introduce VAT. Shops remained closed at Kumbakonam also. They took out a procession and sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister, condemning the arrest and demanding his immediate release. There were also protests and bandhs at many places in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts such as Pattukottai Mannargudi Tiruvarur and Thiruthuraipoondi.

In Tiruchi, traders staged a demonstration in front of the taluk office in the Chowk area.

In Thuraiyur, the supporters of Mr. Vellaiyan kept their establishments closed for the whole day.

A majority of the shops and business establishments remained closed in Perambalur. The traders of Ariyalur kept their shops closed since afternoon. Led by the local leader of the Peravai, Ganesan, they observed fast near the Anna statue from noon to dusk. A meeting of the Pudukottai District Chamber of Commerce called for a traders bandh for tomorrow.

The president of the Tamil Nadu Varthaga Kazhagam, J. J. L. Gnanaraj, urged the Chief Minister to order the release of Mr. Vellaiyan.

Several shops in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts downed their shutters.

A majority of shops and showrooms in Vadalur and Srimushnam remained closed. Barring some hotels and tea-stalls, a majority of shops did not function in Ulundurpet. In Namakkal, the traders downed the shutters and took out a procession. The traders charged that Mr. Vellaiyan was taken into custody without any valid reason, and demanded that he be released forthwith and unconditionally. The general secretary of the Salem City Chamber of Commerce, A. Jayaseelan, said the arrest had agitated the trading community, and to defuse the tension, Mr. Vallaiyan must be released without delay.

Many traders in various parts of the Nilgiris, including Coonoor and Ooty, today downed their shutters.

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