Sealing resumes in Delhi, 171 properties closed, 74 detained

New Delhi, Nov 8 (UNI) Sealing drive against unauthorised commercial establishments in residential areas of the national capital resumed today with Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials locking out 171 premises in posh areas of South Delhi.

The officials, backed by a contingent of Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force and Central Reserve Police Force personnel, sealed 154 properties in MCD's Central zone on a stretch from Toll Bridge to Ashram Chowk and 17 in its South zone on Africa Avenue Road.

Prominent shops among those sealed were CTC Plaza, TRAI office, Rana Automobile, Yamaha and BATA showrooms, Pulse-Impulse Fitness Centre and Thapar House.

Electricity and water connections of these units were also cut.

There were no reports of any violence from any part of the city though about 126 protestors, including Leader of Municipal Corporation of Delhi house Jitendra Kochar, former union minister Vijay Goel, Municipal Councillor Rohit Manchanda and Confederation of All India Traders General Secretary Praveen Khandelwal, were detained as a preventive measure when they were potesting against the resumption of the sealing drive near Ashram Chowk in South Delhi.

The commotion caused traffic jam in the area for some time.

The police pressed charges against only 74 and all of them were later granted bail by a city court. Mr Khandelwal and three others, however, did not submit their bail bonds and continued in judicial custody.

Congress members in MCD's Standing Committee today tendered their resignations in protest against resumption of the sealing drive.

All 13 Congress members present in the Standing Committee meeting today put in their papers to Mr Kochar through Standing Committee Chairman Jaikishan Sharma to express solidarity with the affected traders.

Seven Congress Municipal Councillors -- Ramesh Pandit, Anil Vashishth, Deepika Khullar, Prem Kumar, E S Baghadi, Zamir Ahmed and L D Ahuja -- also resigned ''to identify themselves with the people''.

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