VELLORE: A group of traders representing Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sanganglin Peramaippu, Vellore Corporation Traders’ Associations, Vellore All Merchants’ Associations, led by Gnanavelu, district secretary of the Peramaippu, submitted a petition to the superintendent of police on Thursday seeking protection for Ambur merchants whose shops were damaged in the riot last week. Gnanavelu said the associations have appealed to police to provide security cover for merchants to continue with their profession in peace, while taking steps to get relief for the affected ones. The district administration should make a recommendation to the State regarding the same, he said in the petition.