Indian traders riot over enforced shop closures

POLICE in the Indian capital New Delhi fired tear gas and used water cannon to disperse traders who stoned buses and damaged public property yesterday during protests against a drive to close illegal shops, police and witnesses said.

The day-long strike, which shut markets and schools, came after the Supreme Court said the government should press ahead with a drive to close about 40,000 shops operating illegally in residential areas of New Delhi.

The government had asked the Supreme Court for permission to hold off until the end of the year but was forced to give in.

Sporadic trouble broke out near some markets in the city as traders stoned and shattered window panes and windshields of buses, clashed with police and damaged pavement railings and road-dividers, witnesses said.

The protesters also marched through the city shouting slogans against the government and setting litter bins on fire.

“Traders are demonstrating everywhere,” said police spokesman Rajan Bhagat. “We had to use tear gas and water cannon in one place. We are trying to contain the protesters so that things do not go out of hand this time around.

“Many have been detained but we do not have the exact numbers yet,” he added.

A three-day strike last week by protesting traders shut markets and businesses across the city of 14 million people and sparked violent protests in some areas.

At least three people were killed during similar protests in September.

The civic clean-up began earlier this year after the Supreme Court said shops on at least 2,000 city roads passing through residential areas were illegal and should be closed.

About 40,000 traders were told to vacate their premises by the end of October or face having them closed.

The traders have urged the government to make an emergency law that would overrule the court order and allow the shops to remain. But the government is undecided about such a move.