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Traders, hoteliers and shopkeepers in Shivamogga are in distress over repeated incidents that have prompted the district administration to impose prohibitory orders, restricting business in the city. A day’s closure of commercial establishments affects turnover roughly ₹ 10 crores in the city with more than 300 hotels and 1,000 textile shops among other firms.
Shivamogga is an important centre in Malnad region, which has had restrictions in force since August 15 , when two groups clashed over displaying a poster of Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar in the city. They had undergone a similar situation in February this year when the Hijab row and the murder of Hindutva activist Harsha forced the administration to impose prohibitory orders. The business community is worried that the administration might continue the same situation until the festival season is concluded, leaving them with no buyers at a time considered to be the best season for textile merchants, hoteliers among others.
