Major markets shut, traders bandh continues

New Delhi, Oct 31: Traders in the national capital continued their 72-hour strike for the second day today with shops in all major markets remaining shut.

However, small shops were open. Essential services was kept outside the purview of the bandh called by the traders against the court-ordered sealing drive in the city.

Though there were no reports of any violence, demonstrations were held at various places across the city.

Chemists, who had observed a one-day bandh yesterday, opened their shops today.

Government and most public schools were open but attendance was thin.

Yesterday, the bandh was by and large peaceful excepting the unrest at the Assembly, where police had to use water canons and lathicharge on protesting BJP workers and traders to restore order.

Police had made tight security arrangements to prevent violence, like what had happened earlier during a similar bandh. However, traders did block traffic at some places resulting in jams in different parts of the city.

A delegation of traders later met Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Minister for Urban Development Ajay Maken and Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit and presented a memorandum of their demands.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court-appointed Bhure Lal committee, looking into the sealing issue, has recommended postponing the sealing drive for the time being. Delhi and the Central governments were also expected to move an affidavit on the issue in the apex court today.

UNI

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