Date:30/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/30/stories/2008083052960300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin

Shops down shutters

Staff Reporter

In protest against failure to lay tar road

— Photo: N. Rajesh.

AGITATION: Shops remain closed at Alagesapuram in Tuticorin on Friday.

TUTICORIN: Over 200 shops in and around Alagesapuram here downed shutters on Friday in protest against the Corporation’s failure to lay tar road in their area.

The protesting traders and the public said that though several roads within the town were laid afresh in view of the Chief Minister’s recent visit for a function, one of the busiest stretches in their area was not taken care of.

“Though gravel was spread, neither blue metal nor tar was laid over it, causing untold hardship to the shops and the public, especially children, aged and the patients suffering from respiratory problems. Even after several petitions were submitted to Mayor Kasthuri Thangam, no step was taken to lay this road,” said one Murugan of Alagesapuram.

Condemning the “lethargic attitude” of the corporation administration, the traders downed the shutters of their business establishment.

“We’ll intensify our struggle if our demand is not met in the next couple of days,” said Devakumar, one of the protestors.