Traders, cops up vigil in markets

Delhi had barely come to terms with the serial blasts that shook the city two weeks ago, when a blast near Mehrauli this afternoon whipped up fear among the people once again.

Delhi had barely come to terms with the serial blasts that shook the city two weeks ago, when a blast near Mehrauli this afternoon whipped up fear among the people once again.

Marketplaces wore a deserted look unlike any other Saturday evening, as the apprehension of serial blasts swept across the city. Most shops, however, remained open, with traders8217; associations and the police swinging into action quickly. At GK-I M-Block Market, the traders8217; welfare association did not wait for the police to take charge and took the initiative to tighten security in the area.

8220;The public address system used for making announcements for shoppers to be vigilant has been strengthened, while additional CCTV cameras have also been put up,8221; Rajendra Sharda, president of the association, said. 8220;We have also purchased four portable metal detectors to frisk pedestrians, while cars are being checked at all entry gates,8221; he said.

The Delhi Police brought in more cleaners to clear out dustbins 8212; used to plant bombs on September 13. 8220;The cleaners are sweeping all streets and backlanes and after one round of clearing, we have upturned most dustbins,8221; a beat constable, overseeing the cleaning at M-Block, said.

The Sarojini Nagar Market 8212; which witnessed bomb blasts in 2006 8212; too wore a deserted look, with extra security personnel manning all entry points, and volunteers deployed by the traders8217; association checked all bags and belongings of shoppers.

8220;A strong vigil has been maintained today. A security meeting was called after news of the Mehrauli blast reached us this afternoon. We have begun issuing stickers as gate passes for vehicles that are parked inside the market,8221; Bansi Lal Grover, president of the Sarojini Nagar Market Teh Bazari Welfare Association, said. 8220;With such frequent blasts, trade has hit an all time low.8221;

Some customers, however, seemed undaunted by the blasts altogether. 8220;We have come from Pune and after the blast this afternoon we were asked not to go out and shop. But this doesn8217;t make any sense. People should not get scared and stop coming out,8221; Mrinalini Singh, who had come to shop with her family at Sarojini Nagar, said.

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Elsewhere, the Delhi Police tightened security at all public places. 8220;We have deployed extra reserve force personnel at the airport, railway stations, metro stations, bus stands, cinema halls and malls. Nearly 30 companies of armed police were brought in right after the blast this afternoon,8221; Rajan Bhagat, Delhi Police PRO, said. 8220;Extra metal detectors were set up at all these places and our personnel frisked all those who came here,8221; he said.