Bandh:1,500 including MPs, MLAs, detained on day one, released lat

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Even as tens of thousands of traders gathered at the Delhi Assembly here to protest government inaction over the sealing issue, police rounded up 1,500 agitationists, including an MP and six MLAs, across the city which observed almost total 'bandh' today.

The protestors were, however, later released.

Among those detained by the police included sitting MP V K Malhotra, three former parliamentarians, six MLAs, three former MLAs and two Corporators.

Five policemen were also injured while trying to prevent protestors from going out of control.

Even as police said no violence was reported from any part of the city during the 'bandh', water cannons had to be used to disperse large mobs, it added.

Among those who were administered medical attention following the 'tug-of-war' between protestors and the police, were former Union minister Vijay Goel and MCD Standing Committee member Vijendra Gupta.

Mr Goel continues to be 'under observation' at the Bara Hindu Rao Hospital where he was admitted following 'uneasiness' after police allegedly roughed him and his supporters during 'bandh' demonstrations.

At the Delhi Assembly, more than 50,000 traders from all corners of the city had gathered demanding Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit immediately take up the issue of sealing of commercial establishments in residential areas with the union government to put an end to the drive.

The Chief Minister being the 'custodian' of the people in the capital and in larger interest of traders and their employees and to save Delhi from a future financial crisis, should immediately take up the issue with union government and ensure that there was no more sealing, they said.

The traders were backed by Delhi BJP MLAs and workers. The protestors carrying placards and banners raised slogans, and burned black flags and heckled with the police, which had to canecharge and use water cannon to restore order.

The demonstrating traders demanded the government stop sealing of business establishments, saying it amounted to sealing of future of lakhs and lakhs of people of Delhi.

Hordes of traders and their employees from each market of Delhi came to the Assembly to vent their resentment and anger against sealing drive calling it 'inhuman' and an attack on their fundamental rights.

Meanwhile, on the first day of the three-day Delhi Trade 'Bandh' today commercial activities in the city came to a standstill as all major markets wore a deserted look. About seven lakh traders belonging to more than 500 trade bodies kept their shutters down, virtually commercially paralysing the capital.

According to traders, the bandh affected trade worth about Rs 400 crore and the state government had to suffer VAT revenue loss of about Rs 25 crore. The union government also suffered losses of revenue in terms of Income Tax, Service Tax and several other taxes.

Besides, Delhi BJP and Congress lending their support, several institutions, chemists, nursing homes, doctors, private schools, fashion designers, computer learning centres, play schools also remained closed.

However, shops at few local markets were open. Essential services and transport were kept outside the purview of Trade 'Bandh'.

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