Day after,Surat diamond traders shut shop

The diamond trading units and safe vault centres,remained closed in Surat on Thursday as a mark of protest against the Mumbai blasts.

The diamond trading units and safe vault centres (private lockers where diamonds are kept),remained closed in Surat on Thursday as a mark of protest against the Mumbai blasts. Many of the victims of the blasts are associated with the diamond industry.

The manufacturing units,however,continued with their production.

Several diamond traders at Varachha mini Hira Bazaar and Mahidharpura Hira Bazaar opened their shops and offices on Thursday morning,but voluntarily shut down their offices in the afternoon to express solidarity with the blast victims. They also met Surat Diamond Association president Dinesh Navadia to convey their decision.

Many manufacturing units run trading offices at Zhaveri Bazaar and Opera House,scene of two of the blasts.

Navadia said: The diamond trading areas in Mahidharpura and Varachha remained shut on Thursday. We met the Surat Police Commissioner and made representations to him on the issue of security measures in the diamond trading areas,as thousands of people visit here daily for business deals.

Babubhai Patel,president of Choksi Hira Bazaar at Varachha said: There are over 3,500 shops in our area and we have posted guards at the entry and exit gates to prevent any illegal entry. Besides,we plan to install CCTV cameras and metal detectors at various places.

The traders later gathered at Mangadh Chowk in Varachha in the evening to pay homage to the victims.

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