Two killed in traders' protests in Delhi

New Delhi, Sept 20 (UNI) Two people were killed and nearly three dozen injured as a bandh called by traders to protest the sealing of shops that violate the city plan turned violent here today.

Police and hospital sources said two protestors were brought dead to the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital from Seelampur in East Delhi following a clash between traders and police there.

Hospital authorities said nearly three dozen others, including policemen and firemen, were brought in with injuries sustained in brickbatting and a police baton-charge.

Witnesses said police opened fire at Seelampur after it was attacked by a stone-throwing mob.

The bandh -- called by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and backed by the opposition BJP, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and the Swadeshi Jagran Manch -- affected normal life in the capital.

According to CAIT, over seven lakh traders downed shutters. They blocked road traffic in many places, causing massive traffic jams.

The traders say the government should ensure that the MCD's court-ordered sealing drive is stopped immediately and that all commercial establishments as on December 31, 2005, are regularised.

(Eds: Here kindly pick up suitably from earlier series).

UNI TEAM MIR RS1847