With the closure of the Government of India Press on the city outskirts almost certain, political parties and organisations have decided to observe a bandh on January 9 in the area.

The decision was taken at an all-party meeting yesterday which was presided by Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhakam (TPDK) general secretary K Ramakrishnan. Shops and traders between Periyanaickenpalayam and Veerapandi would down shutters for six hours from 6 am, Ramakrishnan said.

As a prelude, a protest demonstration will be held in front of the Press at Periyanaickenpalayam on January 6. The press was started in 1964 and majority of forms and passbooks for the postal, railways and other Central Government departments were printed here. Orders were issued to stop the functioning of the press from January 1.

The staff, numbering around 75 were asked to move to the press at Nashik before this month end, Ramakrishnan said.

Representatives of over 25 parties and organizations, including CPM, CPI, DMK and MDMK attended the meeting.