MITHI, May 28: More than 100 shopkeepers of the Meghwar community staged a sit-in outside the press club here on Monday in protest against what they termed non-cooperation and reluctance of the Traders Association of Mithi to observe a shutter-down against the murder of Garuo Meghwar, a veterinary stockist.

Talking to reporters, protesters Satram, Jawahar and Doulatram alleged that instead of showing sympathy with the Meghwar community, some members of the traders’ body used indecent language against the Meghwars and gave an application against Meghwar traders who had protested against the incident.

They also alleged that the SHO of Mithi had arrested Jhaman and Suresh Meghwar on the complaint of the traders association.

Therefore, traders belonging to the Meghwar community had decided to part ways with the association and to form a separate body, they said.

The protesting Meghwars demanded transfer of the SHO and an exemplary punishment to the Thakurs who are accused of the murder of Garuo Meghwar.

MNA Mahesh Kumar Malani visited the protest camp of the Meghwars and suggested that a five-member committee should be formed for negotiation with the two groups of traders to settle the matter amicably.