Vaiko urges traders to shut shops on November 12

CHENNAI: Amid indications that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is unlikely to attend the CHOGM summit in Sri Lanka, MDMK leader Vaiko today urged traders to shut shops on November 12 pressing for demands, including dismissal of that country from the Commonwealth league.

He urged the trading community to close down shops unmindful of the losses in the interest of the Tamil people.

The closure was aimed at stressing for dismissal of Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth league of nations and also "condemn UPA for its betrayal by assisting Sri Lanka in the genocide," by providing arms and funds, he said in a statement.

On Thursday last, 21 pro-Tamil outfits had demanded the state government declare a bandh on November 12 to mount pressure on the Centre against taking part in CHOGM.

Vaiko-led MDMK, May 17 Movement, Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi had also decided to resort to rail blockades.

Meanwhile, protests continued in different parts of the state pressing for India's boycott of next week's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka.

More than 100 VCK members were arrested when they staged staged rail-blockade at Chennai and Nagapattinam, police said.