A trade body in Cooch Behar on Sunday announced that they will observe a 24-hour-long business strike on May 17 as the local civic body has not met a number of demands flagged by the traders.

Trinamool is in power at the municipality in Cooch Behar.

On Sunday, representatives of Cooch Behar District Merchant Chamber of Commerce, who have around 4,000 members, made the announcement.

“We had submitted a memorandum to the civic authorities, requesting them to consider our demands for the interest of the business fraternity of Cooch Behar. They didn’t make any move to address the issues. That is why we will observe a business strike on May 17 across Cooch Behar town,” said Motilal Jain, president of the trade body.

Among the demands which they have raised include simplified rules and reduced charges for mutation or change of shop owner’s name, improved infrastructure and basic amenities at the markets and reduced trade licence fees.

“Let us make it clear that even after the strike, if the municipal authorities continue to turn a blind eye to us, we will launch an extensive movement,” Jain added.

Rabindranath Ghosh, the civic chairman, could not be contacted.

However, a source in the civic body, when contacted by the newspaper, said they are looking into the issue.

“We need to discuss the demands made by the trade body before making any decision. The traders should keep patience instead of resorting to a strike which will leave thousands of people inconvenienced,” said the source.