Delhi traders' strike loses steam, major markets reopen

The traders' strike in Delhi appeared to lose its sting with shops in some of the major markets reopening on Tuesday on the second day of the three-day bandh, called against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's sealing drive, which witnessed isolated incidents of demonstration against the government.

Though the markets falling under the posh A and B categories, which face a sure axe, remained closed, some of the major markets of the city like Sarojini Nagar, Cannaught Place and Janpath reopened, bringing back normalcy.

Agitating traders took out marches at Karol Bagh and Lakshmi Nagar markets and burnt effigies of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit besides shouting anti-government slogans. The protests led to traffic snarls at various points in the city. 

However, no violence was reported from any part of the capital, police said adding heavy security has been deployed at sensitive and trouble-prone areas like Maujpur and Seelampur in Northeast Delhi, where five persons had died in violence during a similar bandh on September 20.

Confederation of Indian Traders, which is spearheading the three-day stir, said: "There will be a core-committee meeting of traders on Wednesday where a decision on further course of action in the matter would be taken."

Meanwhile, Metro resumed its services from Kashmere Gate towards Delhi University, which were closed on Monday in view of the bandh.