From correspondents in Delhi, India, 02:30 PM IST

With eight buses being vandalised and the daylong traders' strike turning violent, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) authorities Tuesday issued a series of dos and don'ts for their staff.

'We do not want our staff members and commuters to be hurt so we have asked our staff members to vacate the buses if they come under attack. We have also asked them to check their first-aid boxes so they can provide immediate help in case someone gets hurt,' said Swatantra Dua, secretary, DTC board.

'It is an unwritten rule, but we have strictly asked them not to indulge in any kind of violence with the protesters,' said Dua, as the capital went on high alert during the daylong shutdown to protest the sealing of unauthorised commercial establishments in residential areas.

She added that DTC had stationed 40 recovery vehicles, which could reach trouble spots immediately to repair buses damaged by the strikers. 'We are always targeted so we have to take precautionary steps.'

DTC staff members had also been asked to take help from policemen if traders tried to burn the buses. 'We are working in tandem with police,' said Dua.

Eight DTC buses have been targeted in different parts of the capital since morning. The worst hit was Mandawali in east Delhi where six DTC buses were damaged by traders in the morning. Similar attacks on DTC buses were also made in Rohini in northwest Delhi where two buses were damaged and deflated.

Orders have also been given to DMRC staff not to get into scuffles or arguments and reach the nearest station immediately in case of any trouble.

'We have asked the drivers to try and reach the next station immediately. No one will dare to come on the track but people sometimes throw stones on the train,' said an official of DMRC.

The official added, 'Since the train is very sturdy, people travelling in it will not be hurt. The rail tracks have been designed in way to make it difficult to reach near it.'

He added that special attention was being paid in Seelampur, Rohini and Shahadra. On Sep 20, people tried to damage the metro when four people were killed in police firing in Seelampur.

Taking precautionary steps against the traders, Delhi Police have detained over 1,500 traders in various parts of Delhi to maintain law and order.

Stone pelting, blocking of roads and slogan shouting against the government were reported in various parts in east Delhi, south Delhi, north Delhi and central Delhi. Some of the worst affected areas were Karol Bagh, Green Park, Vikas Marg, Rohini, Shahdara, Malviya Nagar and Paharganj.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)