Traders’ state-wide strike today

Alappuzha: Traders in the state have called for a 12-hour shut-down on Tuesday to mark their protest against the sales tax officers’ ‘insensitive approach’ that led to the suicide of a merchant here.

The shut-down will be observed from 6am to 6pm.

Sreekumar (53), owner of a margin-free shop at Ambalappuzha, committed suicide by hanging inside the godown behind his shop following a notice issued by the sales tax department asking him to pay Rs 6 lakh as tax.

The traders have also called for a dawn to dusk hartal in Alappuzha district.