The chain of supermarkets which have come up in the city recently, have become a threat to the livelihood of small shop owners selling vegetables and groceries. If these supermarkets do not stop opening new outlets and close the existing outlets, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike along with the small shop owners will lock up these outlets on October 17, said Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Mangalore unit) President H Shashidhar Shetty.

Speaking at a press meet, he said while giving licenses, the city corporation must give priority to the entrepreneurs in the State. Over 40 to 50 supermarkets will come up in the city, which will lead to monopoly of the market. The city does not need so many supermarkets, he added.

Stating the other demands he said all the government offices and buildings must carry name plaques in Kannada before November 1. The Vedike had already placed this demand with the department concerned and if it fails to respond within the deadline, the Vedike will paint the name plaques black, he warned. PRO Ameer Hasan Maduru and others were present.