Kerala traders protest raids on video libraries

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 9 (IANS) Traders across Kerala downed their shutters Tuesday to protest against police raids on video libraries to check video piracy.

The shutdown, called by the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, the biggest trader's body in the state, saw all shops and trading establishments in the state closed except hotels and medical stores.

Trouble began brewing in December since Inspector General of Police Rishi Raj Singh, the officer in charge of piracy, landed up at the office of Riyan Studio at Kochi that is owned by the wife of Singh's colleague and another inspector general, Tomin J. Thachenkary.

Singh's visit saw him being relieved of the post. But Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan intervened and Singh was put back in his job. From then on, the officer has been strictly rounding up all errant video shop owners.

"We are not against the police rounding up offenders but against the irresponsible raids and arrest of shop owners. We feel this is being done to please the north Indian video lobby that is trying to enter Kerala in a big way," said T. Naseruddin, president of the trader's body.

There are around 30,000 video libraries in the state employing around 100,000 people. Several library owners have been arrested for violation of the Copyright Act.

"The offenders will be seriously dealt with but innocents will not have any problem. The raids will continue," said Achuthanandan.

Naseruddin described Tuesday's shutdown as a "token protest" and warned that if "the authorities do not mend their ways, we will resort to more serious forms of protest".

However, the film industry has welcomed the police action. It has been urging successive governments in the state to clamp down on video piracy, which was threatening the industry.

"This is a right step in the right direction and we have been demanding this for long. We are not against anyone. All we want is to put an end to the video piracy of new releases," said Innocent, ace comedian and president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said: "We will take no sides. Only violators of law need be worried."