Friday, March 31 2006 12:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Protesting against the sealing of shops in residential areas by the MCD, a huge crowd of irate traders today (Mar 31, 2006) laid seige on the civic body's office in West Delhi.

Around 2000 traders protesting against the sealing of shops reached the office in Rajouri Garden area, where the civic body has sealed some establishments as part of its High Court-ordered drive. The protestors, shouting slogans, surrounded the MCD office and locked its gates.

The traders then proceeded towards Raja Garden Chowk, where led by former Delhi Chief Minister Madanlal Khurana, they planned to break the seals put by the MCD in its drive yesterday.

However, a large number of protestors continued to camp outside the MCD office, guarding the locks on its gates.

The drive has seen violent protests by traders and a number of people were detained yesterday for obstructing the sealing process.

Traders in the capital also went on a 48-hour strike yesterday to protest against the sealing drive, paralyzing trading activity in the city.

As many as 194 establishments were sealed yesterday by the MCD.