Mayawati orders closure of big retail stores

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday ordered closure of all retail stores of big corporates, including those of Reliance Fresh and Spencer's, in Varanasi and the state capital.

Chief Minister Mayawati announced the decision at a press conference here.

The move comes in the wake of an attack on Reliance Fresh and Spencer's stores by traders led by a Samajwadi Party MP here on Wednesday -- the day when Reliance Retail inaugurated 10 of its food stores across the city.

When contacted, a Reliance Retail spokesperson declined to comment.