Vegetable trader shot dead in Delhi

Two vegetable traders were shot by bike-borne assailants in northwest Delhi Saturday. One of them died, triggering a protest by about 150 traders.

The two traders identified as Ravinder and Bakre Alam of the Azadpur Mandi were on their way to work on a scooter Saturday and were carrying a bag containing Rs.200,000.

"At around 10.30 a.m. the police control room received a call that the duo were fired at by men on a motorbike not far from the Mandi. The attackers could not take the money. The victims were taken to the hospital," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) A.K. Singh told IANS.

He said while Alam died, Ravinder is in the intensive care unit at Max Hospital in Pitampura.

Soon after the news of the death spread, around 150 vegetable traders went on a rampage near the hospital shouting slogans against police officials.

"In their fury, they blocked the main road (near the hospital). We had to resort to force to clear the way," Singh said.

The police are yet to record a statement from Ravinder, who is unconscious, the official said.

Meanwhile the other traders were angry about the security situation in the area.

"The assailants fired six rounds. They managed to escape. The investigation is too casual. An eyewitness was asked by a police officer not to speak about the incident. The security situation is deteriorating here," alleged Rajan Kumar, a trader.

Singh, meanwhile said that there would soon be a survey of the security situation. "If there is a need we will increase force here."

Last updated on Nov 21^st, 2009 at 16:14 pm IST--IANS