New Delhi: The 24-hour strike called by traders in the capital on Friday lost some steam by afternoon with many markets opening shop as civic authorities continued sealing illegal commercial establishments, including an elite playschool, in residential areas.
By noon, scores of markets, including Lajpat Nagar, Subhash Nagar and Seelampur returned to usual business amid tight security. However, markets in Karol Bagh and Rohini remained shut for the day.
"We have lost too much business in the last few days and don't want to lose more revenue. It's better to do business till civic authorities seal them," said a trader in west Delhi's Subhash Nagar.
Trade leaders also admitted that they did not expect everybody to join in their protests.
"The response so far is good, but some markets under NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) are open today. We don't want to force anyone - neither any market association nor any political party - to help us. We will fight our own battle," said Ramesh Khanna, secretary general of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).
He said they would march from the MCD's headquarters in old quarters of the city to the Delhi Assembly on Friday evening.
Amongst the biggies that were sealed on Friday were the Kangaroo Playschool and the Leela Jewellery showroom in upmarket Greater Kailash-I.
Authorities sealed dozens of establishments amid heavy security personnel deployment, meeting some resistance from traders.
"Traders came out in large numbers and shouted slogans against the drive and the government. But things were under control," said a top police official.
"Nearly 5,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, have been mobilised in several sensitive areas. Karol Bagh, Green Park, Rajouri Garden and Seelampur are among the localities we are particularly careful about," he added.
The resentment was controlled, but palpable.
"We are on the streets and police are free to arrest us. They are sealing our livelihood, what is the point of sitting at home. We will fight it," said a bitter Manveer Singh, a trader, in Greater Kailash-I.
Schools functioned as normal. "After reviewing the situation, we decided not to issue any instructions to close schools as they have already suffered a lot. We don't want to aggravate the situation further," Delhi Education Secretary Reena Ray said.
In the last two days, MCD squads have sealed showrooms, general stores, guesthouses and even a playschool in several upscale residential neighbourhoods.
The main office of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, a nodal body regulating Indian telecom sector, in south Delhi's Safdarjung Enclave was de-sealed and given a month to relocate.
5.4 lakh shops across Delhi face closure 27 lakh traders have their livelihoods at risk
The drive will continue in the south Delhi on Friday despite a bandh called by traders. The traders will take out a ’shanti march’ from Town Hall, the MCD headquarters, to the Delhi Assembly. Traders will stage sit-in protests at ChandniChowk and Khari Baoli areas of the Capital to protest theoperation.
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