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It could not get worse. If the reservation stir threw life in the
national Capital out of gear during the first half of 2006, Delhi
sealing drive captured people's mood for the better part of its second
half.
This time, the Capital's big fish as well as small businessmen
were found to be on the other side of the law. The running soap-opera
had split society into two.
Meanwhile came the SC breather. While welcoming the SC's decision
to give relief to 18,305 traders who willingly closed down their
shops, the angry traders have sought a permanent solution to the
sealing row.
It all began when the HC acted on Resident Welfare Associations'
plea seeking removal of unauthorised constructions from their colonies.
Then came March 23, when the MCD started sealing illegal properties
in Delhi, sparking fierce protests by lakhs of shopkeepers whose
livelihood fell in danger. Angry demonstrations, protests, rally
and police lathicharge remained 'the only solution' and an image
that have put the entire Delhi and surrounding areas on the boil.
Meanwhile, outrage is intensifying among Delhiites over the Municipal
Corporation of Delhi's action against shops in residential areas
at the Supreme Court's orders. An HT survey said that six out 10
Delhiites opopose sealing drive in the capital by the MCD.
58 per cent of the respondents opposed the overnight closure of
commercial establishments which had earlier flourished with "quasi-administrative
sanction". The voices of support for traders -- 66 per cent
respondents thought the traders were right in protesting -- came
from all across the city. Fifty-two per cent of the respondents
blamed politicians "for breaking rules and encouraging others
to follow".
People believe the traders should be given time to shift. Then
there are others who think they should be penalised and allowed
to continue.
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