Markets across the capital were closed on Monday as traders downed shutters, beginning their three-day bandh to protest the sealing of shops in residential premises amid tight security.

However, normal life remained unaffected in the city as educational institutions, public transport and essential services were exempted from the bandh, which has been supported by all the major political parties.

All major markets, including Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar, Paharganj, Karol Bagh, Greater Kailash, Chandni Chowk, South Extension, Mayur Vihar, Khan Market and Kamala Market remained closed, traders claimed.

Traders will also lay seige to the Delhi assembly on the first day of its Winter Session on Monday. Chemists have also joined the strike against sealing of shops operating in residential areas.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has suspended its services between Delhi University and Kashmere Gate in view of demonstrations by traders and BJP workers in the area.

"We have suspended operations in the stretch from 9 am till further orders on the advise of the Delhi Police," a DMRC spokesperson said in New Delhi

Onkar Singh adds from New Delhi:

Deependra Pathak, additional commissioner of police in charge of public relations, has said that the Delhi Police had taken adequate measures to maintain law and order in the capital should the three day bandh called by the traders associations turn violent.  

"On Sunday, Police Commissioner K K Paul had issued an appeal to the citizens to maintain calm and asked them not to lend their ears to rumours," Pathak said.

The traders planned to take out a protest march to the Delhi assembly on the first day of its Winter Session.

"We have already begun the gherao and it would continue for four hours," said an aide of Praveen Khandelwal, who has been instrumental in bringing the traders community together on the sealing issue.

"We have not only deployed our force in full strength but also got forces from other states," a top Delhi police official said.