Sat Nov 16 21:45:43 IST 2024: ## Kozhikode Traders Reject Congress Hartal Call Following Bank Election Clash
**Kozhikode, [Date]** – A planned Congress hartal in Kozhikode district following a violent clash during the Chevayur Cooperative Bank elections has been met with resistance from local traders. The Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) has announced it will not participate in the 24-hour hartal, scheduled for tomorrow from 6 am to 6 pm, and its member shops will remain open. KVVES has urged the Congress to reconsider its call for the shutdown.
The clash, which occurred today at the Government Higher Secondary School, Parayanchery, involved attacks on vehicles carrying voters. The election pitted the Congress’ official panel against rebel candidates backed by the CPM, who are contesting under the banner of the “Bank Protection Committee.” Congress alleges the CPM is responsible for the violence and has demanded the election be cancelled. The incident marred the election process, which saw fierce competition between the two factions.
First Piper 