Fear rules in Karol Bagh's Gaffar Market

It's been over nine years but locals here still remember the tragic day when a bomb blast in Karol Bagh's Gaffar Market ended the lives of more than 30 people. Hundreds were injured. Most tragically, the blasts took place on September 13, the time when the festive season is on in the capital.

A visit to the market today shows a very different sight. Police machans (high rise platforms) have been raised around the place where the blast took place, but they remain mostly unoccupied. Since then, the market has gone back to business as usual but fear among visitors and traders remains.

Speaking to DNA, traders said the market sees more than a lakh visitors every day, especially during the peak hour — 4pm to 8pm, which was the time when the blast was triggered. They claim that despite such an attack, little security has been provided to them by the police.

"Police presence is rare. This market is an open area. Cars can enter and exit freely. We have deputed privately-hired guards, 25 of them including four women, but they have no right to stop a car for frisk as visitors will object. Our guards, however, keep a tight vigil in the market and suspicious people are kept under watch," said Murli Mani, president of the Vyapar Mandal, Ajmal Khan Road.

The concerned DCP (Central) MS Randhawa, Delhi police PRO Madhur Verma and Special Commissioner Deependra Pathak could not be reached for a comment despite repeated attempts.

However, not all traders agree with Mani. Satinder Singh, general secretary of Gaffar Market Association believes that action has been taken after the incident.

"Roads here remain barricaded from three sides. Policemen are also seen regularly. It is probably because this has already been a target once. The government does not want to take chances. We have privately hired 10 guards and 32 cameras have been installed by the association," Singh said.

Mani, who has been the president of the association for over 30 years now, says he witnessed the gruesome blast in 2008 and was one of the men who shifted bodies to nearby hospitals on vegetable carts and wheelbarrows. "It was utter chaos. Our priority was to rush those who were alive, to a hospital so they could be saved," he remembered.

Asked about the security here, Mani said the traders association had made their own arrangements. "We have 20 cameras installed by the police, half of them are defunct. As a result, shopkeepers have their own cameras."

He also said that no vendor or hawker was allowed to enter the market who is not listed with the association. "Unauthorised and unidentified vendors, hawkers are allowed only after eight when the market closes. We have a list of our vendors who are police verified," Mani said. Not just Gaffar Market, but the whole of Karol Bagh is at threat. It is largely known for bridal stuff especially for weddings. It stands with Gaffar Market, known for mobile phones — repairing, buying and selling.

It was at the intersection of Gaffar and Karol Bagh markets where the blast, suspected to have been carried out by the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen, occurred.

KAROL BAGH

• Market - Karol Bagh, Gaffar Market
   
• Footfall - 1.5 lakh daily
   
• Known for - mostly wedding shopping and everything else from a pin to a car
   
• Location - Next to Karol Bagh Metro station, 5km from Connaught Place