Shaheen Bagh: Loss of Livelihood To The Tune Of Crores As Shopkeepers Feel The Heat Of Anti-CAA Protests

The shopkeepers of Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area on Saturday met DCP (south-east district) R P Meena, urging him to take necessary steps so that they could re-open their shops whose shutters have not been downed since the protests around the CAA and the NRC began over two months ago.

The representatives of Kalindi Kunj Market Welfare Association said they were facing losses due to closure of shops, affecting their livelihood.

The meeting, however, failed to produce any positive outcome for the shopkeepers.

A member of the market association told IANS: "The DCP told us that he is waiting for the orders from the Supreme Court, and only after the top court''s directions, that administration would be able to do something."

Further venting his frustration, he said: "Now, we are left with nothing. We are compelled to end our lives... "

The protests and sit-in at Shaheen Bagh have caused loss of livelihood to the shopkeepers to the tune of crores of rupees. Besides, some shopkeepers have also started getting loan overdue notice from the banks.

Another member of market association, Rohit, on being asked if the shopkeepers have problem with the protests, told IANS: "We have no problems... the issue is between the protesters and the government. We just want to open shops and run our businesses."

Thousands of people mostly women have been staging a sit-in at Shaheen Bagh area since 15 December last year against the CAA and the NRC.