Delhi bandh: Traders shut shops, block traffic

New Delhi, Sept 20: Life in the Capital today virtually came to a halt in response to a Delhi Bandh called by the trade bodies as traders, angry over the continued ''assault on their livelihood'' through sealing of their shops by the MCD, blocked traffic and organised protest dharnas in various parts of the city.

Shops in all the major markets of Delhi, including Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Paharganj, Greater Kailash, South Extension, Azadpur, Rajouri Garden and many others downed shutters today during the Delhi Bandh, called by trade bodies in protest against continuing sealing of shops despite the Delhi Government notifying nearly 2200 roads and streets in the national capital as commercial/mixed use areas.

The Bandh, being supported by more than 500 trade bodies in different areas of the capital, saw traders giving a vent to their anger by organising 'chakka jams' (traffic blockages) all over Delhi, specially at major traffic intersections including South Extension, Vikas Marg, Madhuban Chowk and Mayur Vihar.

They also indulged in stone pelting in some areas.

This led to disruption of normal life in various areas, with thousands of office goers unable to reach their destination.

The traders also held protest dharnas in various areas shouting slogans of 'MCD murdabad'.

It was an unprecedented show of strength as lakhs of traders all over the city downed their shutters in protest against sealing of shops in residential areas which is is seen by the shopkeepers as a direct assault on their very source of livelihood.

Infact, even medicine traders, who are out of the purview of sealing following recent amendment in the Master Plan, extended their support to the bandh.

Essential commodities and public transport have, however, been kept out of the purview of the bandh.

Prominent trade leaders of Delhi including Narendra Madan, Ramesh Khanna, Vijay Pal, Satinder Wadhwa and Ramesh Ahuja, in a joint statement, yesterday had called upon City traders to demonstrate exemplary unity by making the bandh most successful. According to the traders, the continuance of sealing action of shops by the MCD despite the September 15 notification by the Delhi Government has reduced them to the status of beggars on the streets.

''They are kneeling before the Courts, they are begging the Government and they are now also begging the RWA's. The traders are being treated as aliens as if they do not belong to the city and are illegal resident,'' the traders say.

''Today the traders are dangling between the Courts and the Government. Frustrated and angered by the spate of things, they are knocking the doors of Government for seeking relief. Unfortunately, whatever little relief comes, they are being knocked down by the Courts. It is very strange that in a democratic country that prides itself for the cause of fundamental and human rights of citizens, exploitation and violation is at its peak. All pleadings are falling on deaf ears,'' the Confederation of All Indian Traders secretary general Parveen Khandelwal said.

The Delhi bandh by traders has found support from the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal).

Declaring its support to the bandh, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) National general secretary Onkar Singh Thapar has appealed to all Akali Dal office bearers and the Sikh community to close their shops to show their support.

UNI

Related Stories