Bangalore, Dec 1 (IANS) Hundreds of shops across Bangalore, in upscale areas as well as middle and low-income areas, were shut Thursday protesting foreign direct investment in the retail business.

Traders in upscale shopping areas of M.G. Road, Brigade Road, Commercial Street in city centre, Malleshwaram in north Bangalore, Jayanagar in south, and whole-sale markets in Akkipet and Chikpet in central business district did not open their shops.

The traders gathered at the premises of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry in city centre and held a rally demanding central government rollback its decision to allow FDI in retail.