Shops and business establishments in Periyanacikenpalayam remained closed for six hours (6 a.m. to 12 noon) on Tuesday protesting against the closure of the Government Printing Press that has been functioning in Coimbatore for the last five decades.

Most of the shopkeepers participated in the bandh that was supported by parties including DMK, DK, CPI, CPI-M, VCK, TPDK, DMDK and Tamil Nadu Traders Association.

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaiswami a few days ago had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him not to close the press here, instead merge it along with the ones functioning in Kerala and Karnataka.