116 shops sealed, Bandh evokes mixed response

New Delhi, Nov 10 (UNI) The Municipal Corporation of Delhi today sealed 116 properties along H R Gupta Marg in South Delhi even as traders in the capital observed a strike against resumption of sealing of commercial establishments in the residential areas of the city.

While the 'bandh' evoked mixed response as some markets remained open and others were closed, the MCD shut down 116 up market outlets in posh South Delhi, with which the total number of units sealed since sealing re-started on November 8 went up to 353.

Major properties sealed included Shopping Arcades where offices, jewellery showroom and boutique were being run.

The sealing operation as well as the bandh passed off peacefully as the Delhi Police along with central para-military forces were deployed in large numbers.

Demonstrations were, however, held in different parts of the Delhi and over 300 people were detained and 12 arrested as preventive measure.

A protest rally was also organised at Chandni Chowk in the evening demanding an immediate stop to sealing and also that the authorities did not ''harass'' the trade leaders.

The sealing drive would continue focusing on 'big shops' in South Delhi on the municipality's 'A' and 'B' list of colonies, especially those whose owners had filed affidavits.

However, there would be no sealing on Saturday and Sunday.

The sealing drive was being carried out on the orders of the Supreme Court and as per schedule charted by its Monitoring Committee.

UNI IP SB GC2044