'DMK cadres threatening traders to close shops'

CHENNAI: Alleging that cadres of the ruling DMK party were issuing threats to traders to close down shops and commercial establishments in some parts of the state, the Federation of Traders' Unions in Tamil Nadu on Monday urged police to take stern action against them.

In a statement here, Federation president T Vellaiyan said that the fast, announced by the DMK and its DPA allies on the Sethusamudram issue, was being observed in violation of rules at several places.
   
The Federation has about 25 lakh members from all over the state.

Though hunger strike was accepted in a democracy, certain legal procedures such as seeking permission a few days before the agitation and observing fast at particular places had to be followed. But the ruling party had violated all the rules, he charged.

Vellaiyan said that in major cities and towns,functionaries of the DMK and its allies had been observing fast after erecting pandals at main thoroughfares and bazaar areas, obstructing vehicular traffic.
  
It was nothing but a 'threat' issued to traders and the public, he said and expressed apprehension that it might set a precedence for such agitations in future.