Provide security to vegetable wholesale markets: Delhi govt to police

Days after a vegetable vendor was attacked and robbed at the Okhla market for selling onions at cheaper rates, the Delhi government has asked the police to provide security to the city's vegetable wholesale markets.

Days after a vegetable vendor was attacked and robbed at the Okhla market for selling onions at cheaper rates, the Delhi government has asked the police to provide security to the city's vegetable wholesale markets.

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Delhi food and supplies minister Haroon Yusuf asked the police to extend the security cover to various government-backed outlets selling onions at lower rates.

Rising prices and shortage of onions has become a political issue with every party looking at it as a stick to beat the Congress with.

"I've spoken to the Delhi Police and informed them about the current situation. The attack might have been politically motivated and providing them security is very crucial. Though the situation is under control right now, but we need to keep a close watch," said Yusuf.

On Wednesday night, a vegetable vendor was allegedly attacked by his rivals for setting up a stall in collaboration with the Delhi government and the local Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) to sell onions and potatoes at less than the prevalent wholesale rates. A case was registered at the Amar Colony police station.

The Delhi Police are now planning to conduct regular patrolling at all wholesale markets.

On Saturday, the state government had started selling onions at cheaper rates by setting up stalls and deploying 150 mobile shops at various locations. Even the BJP and Aam Aadmi party have set up stalls to sell onions at lower rates.