Traders observe Delhi Bandh, life a standstill

New Delhi, Mar 21: Commercial activities in the capital came to a standstill today (Mar 21, 2006) with shopkeepers in all major markets keeping the shutters down in response to the Delhi Bandh called by the Confederation of All India traders (CAIT) to protest the sealing of commercial units on a Supreme Court order.

Agitated over the ''lethargic and irresponsible attitute'' of the Centre, the Delhi Government and the MCD towards the regularisation of shops in residential areas, the trading community in Delhi is observing the shutdown today in a bid to force the government to take immediate cognizance of their problems.

South Delhi markets like Lajpat Nagar's Krishna market, the South Extension market, Greater Kailash, Kotla Mubarakpur, Kalkaji, Govindpuri, Green Park and Hauz Khas as well as markets of West Delhi including Jail Road, Tilak Nagar, Vikaspuri, Janakpuri, Uttam Nagar, Khyala, Nangal Rai, Naraina whereas those in North and East Delhi including Rohini, Shalimar Bagh, Pitampura, Ashok Vihar, Model Town, Azadpur, Kamla Nagar, Shakti Nagar, Roop Nagar, Malka Ganj, Subji Mandi, Ghantaghar, Rani Bagh, Vikas Marg, Laxmi Nagar, Mayur Vihar, Jagatpuri,Gandhi Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Jheel, Khureji, Shahdara, Acharya Niketan, Vasundhara, Patparganj remained closed as part of Delhi Bandh, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which is spearheading the traders agitation, said.

The Delhi Bandh, called by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Delhi Traders Sangharsh Morcha and other leading trade bodies of the capital has gained wide support from all corners and the traders are committed to reflect their anger and resentment by keeping their establishments closed, CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said.

UNI