"We resorted to this measure to protest against a recent advertisement brought out by newspaper agencies claiming that many hawkers were not paying them. This is false and in fact it is the agencies who are not paying us our commission," a leader of the newspaper hawkers association said.
The advertisement, issued in some local papers on November 29, had said hawkers were not making payments by claiming that customers were not paying their bills at the end of the month.
Following publication of the advertisement, the hawkers' association demanded apology and withdrawal of the advertisement and said the strike, which started on Saturday, would continue till this demand is met.
Newspapers are, however, available at stands in the city.