Surat: Thousands of traders and workers who are into textile business today morning gathered outside the Millennium market in ring road area of Surat to oppose the Goods and Service Tax(GST)imposed by Centre on 1st July. While one set of traders who are in number of around 1,000 were ready to open their shops discontinuing the protest, the other set of traders in similar number were opposing any move to reopen the market. Protesting group of traders were chanting slogans against Navsari Lok Sabha MP CR Patil alleging that he was dividing the traders. There were few moments when Salabatpura police had to do lathi charge to control the crowd of traders that had according to one version started stone pelting. Some of protestors were also detained by police and taken to police station. They were advised to discontinue mob protest which could turn violent. It should be mentioned here that yesterday evening in a meeting held by local Lok Sabha MP CR Patil, around 1,000 traders had agreed to reopen the markets. The traders had met the Chief Minister and also the Commissioner of Police seeking protection against those who were forcing bandh. While traders don’t want to accept GST on textile material, the government is in no mood to accept their demand. The government is of opinion that why textile businessmen should be exempted from GST while other businessmen are covered under GST. Meanwhile opposition Congress party criticized the lathicharge action of police in Surat. Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel in his tweet said: Shocking that police has used brutal force against Surat traders protesting against GST. Govt must reason with them, not suppress them.

DeshGujarat