Shutdown in Kerala against FDI in retail

Most shops in Kerala downed shutters Wednesday to protest the central government's decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail.

The shutdown call was given by the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithy (KVVES), the biggest body of traders. Medical stores, hotels and restaurant owners also decided to cooperate with the strike call.

"Kerala has more than a million traders and five million workers. If the centre goes for this (FDI), it would affect all these people," said KVVES president T. Nazirudheen.

While the protests is from dawn to dusk, medical stores will open after noon.