Closures resume in Indian capital

A trader protesting against the closure of shops Enlarge Image

Authorities in the Indian capital, Delhi, have resumed a drive to shut down illegal businesses in residential areas amid fears of violence.

Security forces have been deployed in the areas where the controversial drive has begun. A number of schools remained closed for the second day.

Traders held a day-long strike on Tuesday to protest against a court order leading to the move.

Shopkeepers say the moves will affect the livelihoods of 500,000 people.

The Supreme Court had ordered the authorities to seek help from the police to carry out the drive.

Delhi's chief minister Sheila Dikshit has appealed to citizens to keep calm and said the court's orders have to be followed.

Traders have said they are going to protest in areas where the sealing operations take place, but all markets will remain open.

Angry traders held a three-day strike against the move last week, closing most of the city's shops. In September four people died as protests turned violent.

A total of 44,000 illegal businesses have been targeted during the controversial ongoing drive.

'Dagger'

On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions filed by the federal government and Delhi's local government.

The petitions had said that the closures could threaten law and order in Delhi.

"No one can be permitted to place a dagger at the government's neck and seek relief. No one can be permitted to hold the city and its law-abiding citizens to ransom," the Supreme Court order said.

"It is the obligation of governments to ensure compliance of the orders of this court."

The drive against illegal businesses in residential areas began last year after the Supreme Court said a ban on such shops had to be enforced.

Protests across Delhi have since become widespread.

Traders say municipal authorities often take money from the poor and the middle-class in return for turning a blind eye to illegal constructions or encroachments on public land.