With the aim of stopping the entry of industrial giants like Reliance and Birla in the daily markets in City, the traders in markets coming under Mangalore City Corporation including Mangalore Central Market, Surathkal, Kankanadi, Jeppu, Bejai and Urwa markets will organise a total bundh on August 13, informed Central Market Merchants’ Association General Secretary Hameed Kanda.

Speaking at a press meet here on Tuesday, he said over 5,000 merchants sell varieties of vegetables, fruits and flowers in markets coming under the MCC and eke out a living for themselves. Similarly, over 5,000 daily wage labourers work under these merchants and thus earn their livelihood. However, industrial giants like Reliance and Birla are acting as middlemen for foreign companies planning to set up markets for fruits and vegetables. This will be a blow to local merchants, which must be opposed. A memorandum will be submitted to the Chief Minister, MLAs and other ministers through the Deputy Commissioner on August 13, demanding to stop the entry of these companies in the City.

In the protest which will be held in front of the DC’s office, the Association would appeal for the support of various political parties, farmers and labourers unions, social organisations and public along with the working committees of markets coming under MCC and also other daily markets. A procession will also be organised on the occasion from Market Road to DC’s office, he added. Central Market Merchants’ Association President K Shashidharan, Jeppu Market Merchants’ Association President Paramesh Shetty, Surathkal Market Merchants’ Association President Mohammed Shareef and Karangalpady Market Merchants’ Association President Thomas Lobo were present at the press meet.