M A I N   N E W S

Sealing campaign gets rolling in South Delhi
Tribune News Service

An MCD seals an unauthorised commercial establishments near Ashram crossing on the Ring Road in New Delhi on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Mukesh Aggarwal

New Delhi, November 8
As the sealing of unauthorised commercial establishments in the Capital was resumed on Wednesday, it was the posh South Delhi that became the first target of the civic agencies. From shopping complexes to smaller enterprises and hutments sealing was resumed amidst a thick security blanket.

MCD sealing teams comprising an executive engineer, junior engineer and officials of power and water authorities began the day with the sealing of shops and establishments in Ashram, the southern part of the city.

Traders in the area said they were “aghast” as the MCD’s team arrived “without prior notification”. The traders said although they knew that the sealing drive was to resume on Wednesday, they were unaware that it would begin in their area.

Much to the relief of the law enforcing agencies, there were no reports of vandalism, stone throwing and protests from across the city. A large number of security personnel, including contingents of paramilitary RAF, CRPF and BSF and Delhi Police, were deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

Senior police officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Delhi) Anil Shukla, were overseeing the action. The resumption of the drive, which was halted after the violence during the September 20 traders' bandh, came after the monitoring committee's direction to the MCD to start the drive today.

Unlike in the past, this time it was not the MCD but the committee, which has decided on when and where to carry out the operations. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit has asked the Centre for a rehabilitation plan for the traders affected by the sealing.

Commercial truckers in the Capital who have been affected by the ongoing sealing drive have decided to join the traders in the protest against sealing of commercial establishments in residential areas.

A Delhi Transporters’ Association official said truckers do a business of over Rs 1.2 billion every day and handle 800,000 tonnes of material, but have been facing heavy losses because of the ongoing protests that have led to main markets remaining closed.

All government run and most private schools remained closed on the second day today. The disruption of schedules has vexed both parents and the school administrations. Expressing concern school authorities said students who are scheduled to take the CBSE Board examinations are the worst hit.

Attendance was thin in schools that remained open, as parents were unwilling to take a chance in the wake of vandalism of public transport and property.

TRAI office also not spared

The main office of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was sealed today under the ongoing drive against unauthorised commercial establishments in the residential areas.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Bhandari, said, “As per the directions, we have sealed the TRAI office in south Delhi’s Safdarjung Enclave”.

TRAI officials said the MCD sealed its building despite repeated requests for extension of time. The regulatory body had already identified a new building and would soon shift to the new premises, they said adding that it would approach the Supreme Court to seek an extension to shift to new premises. — TNS