Red Fort blast case: Markets shut near blast site as police search for clues
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Following the explosion in front of the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening, some major markets were closed on Tuesday. Lajpat Rai Market is directly opposite the site of the explosion. According to traders, they took this decision on Tuesday morning at the direction of the police administration.
They say that due to the explosion, many particles fell on and around their shops. These particles could be crucial in the police investigation. Police and investigative agencies are collecting them. This is why the markets are closed.
Meanwhile, the Red Fort has also been closed to tourists for the time being. The main market of Chandni Chowk is open as usual, and schools are also open. Operations at the Red Fort Metro Station are normal. Gate No. 2 and one other gate of the Red Fort Metro are open for passengers. The Central Radio and Electronics Merchants Association (CREMA), Old Lajpat Rai Market, and Chandni Chowk have stated that various investigative agencies will inspect the entire area today in connection with the blast that occurred on Monday.
Market Association President Sanjay Nagpal said, "Since this incident occurred right in front of the market, an order has been issued to close Old Lajpat Rai Market on Tuesday for security and investigation purposes. All of us traders are required to fully comply with this order."
He stated that all business associates have been requested to immediately disseminate this information to their manufacturers, customers, and staff, so that no one faces any inconvenience. One effect of this will be that there will be no congestion of vehicles and people around the site of the incident. This area is usually quite crowded on normal working days. Due to the presence of a wholesale market here, a large number of traders from outside Delhi also visit.
Traders say that a similar decision was made to close New Lajpat Rai Market. In fact, several major markets in Old Delhi are just a few steps away from the incident site. Directly opposite the incident site is Chandni Chowk Main Market and Lajpat Rai Market, known as the hub of electronic goods. The famous Gauri Shankar Temple is also just a few steps away. Worship was performed at the temple as usual on Tuesday. According to shopkeepers and others present at the scene, the explosion was so powerful that the glass of nearby shops shattered.
Subhash Chakraborty, vice president of the local Resident Welfare Association, said that schools in the area are open. His and nearby children attended schools in Civil Lines, Daryaganj, and other areas on Tuesday. Local residents are maintaining vigilance and are assisting the police and administration in this entire matter. Local residents are ready to provide whatever assistance the police require.
He also stated that this area is typically prone to frequent traffic jams. The numerous illegal street vendors and parking on various streets and sidewalks in Chandni Chowk have narrowed the roads considerably. The same is true outside the Red Fort. As a result, traffic jams occur almost daily in front of the Red Fort on normal days. To avoid crowds and traffic jams, some markets are closed on Tuesdays. The Chandni Chowk main market is fully open. The famous Camera Market, Gold and Silver Market, and Clothing Market are also open on Tuesdays, as usual. However, the number of customers in the markets is currently quite low.
Rajesh Kumar, who runs a shop in the Camera Market, about a hundred meters from the site of the incident, said that police are currently deployed throughout Chandni Chowk following the blast. He was present at the shop when the explosion occurred on Monday evening. The blast was very powerful. Immediately after the blast, most shops in Chandni Chowk, including the Camera Market, Watch Market, and Cycle Market, were closed in time to ensure the safety of those inside and customers in the market.
In fact, after the blast, panic spread in Chandni Chowk, Lajpat Rai Market, Camera Market, and Cycle Market. All these markets are located very close to the Red Fort Metro Station. Following the incident, traders closed their shops for safety reasons. Chandni Chowk shopkeeper Shekhar Sharma said that all traders are extremely worried because it is still unclear how the explosion occurred. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has completely cordoned off the site of the incident and normal vehicular movement has been stopped. Senior officers are present at the scene.