Central,North Delhi markets down shutters to back Anna

President,Confederation of All India Traders,Praveen Khandelwal said the bandh as an “unprecedented success.”

He claimed that the shut-down caused a loss of approximately Rs 500 crore to the traders and and a revenue loss of Rs 50 crore to the Delhi government.

At Janpath market some supporters of the 74-year-old social activist allegedly forced shopkeepers to close down shops and adhere to the bandh call.

Although president,New Delhi Traders Association,Atul Bhargava,claimed that,“All wholesale and retail markets of Chandni Chowk,Connaught Place,Janpath,Palika Bazaar and Panchkuian Road remained completely shut,” only a partial bandh was observed in these areas as some shops remained either fully open or with their shutters half down.

Besides these,markets in Karol Bagh,Khari Baoli,Lajpat Nagar,South Extension,Sarojini Nagar,Rohini,Chawri Bazar and Paharganj also wore a deserted look as shops remained shut.

Greater Kailash-I and Lajpat Nagar markets remained open as they “were not taken into confidence,” said Sanjeev Mehra,president of Khan Market Traders’ Association.

“We are with Anna Hazare and we support his cause but we are not going to shut down shops in our areas,” said Mehra.

Some banks and chemists shops remained open at CP and South Extension.

At many markets,shoppers returned disappointed as they were unaware of the bandh call. Sonia Kilam turned up at the Janpath market to shop but had to go back as the market was shut except for some fruit vendors.

“I took a day off from work to go shopping but all the shops are shut here,” she said.