Shops and markets in Delhi opened on Thursday after a three-day trade bandh against sealing of commercial establishments.

"The government has gone to the Supreme Court and we are waiting for the outcome, for the time being markets and shops will be open," general secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders Praveen Khandelwal said in Delhi.

The last day of the 72-hour strike had witnessed violence with irate traders stoning and torching passenger buses and blocking traffic in many parts of the capital, disrupting normal life for several hours.

Police presence on the streets and markets has been reduced, though senior officials said they are on an alert and was ready to deploy additional men and paramilitary forces in case of an emergency.

Paramilitary forces were deployed in Seelampur and Vikas Marg areas of north-east and east Delhi after trouble broke out when traders targeted buses on Wednesday morning.

Traders, however, have made it clear that they will go to any length to stop the sealing drive. "Let there be some kind of action from the government, we will decide our future course of action after seeing the government response," Khandelwal added.

The Supreme Court is slated to hear the applications filed by the Centre and the MCD seeking relief for the traders on Monday.