Markets in Noida, Greater Noida and Dadri remained closed in the morning hours today due to the 'Noida bandh' called by BJP to protest the killing of its leader Vijay Pandit.
BJP workers assembled at the 'Sanatan Dharam Mandir' (temple) in Sector 19 and marched to Atta Market and Sector 18 Market.
"The markets remained closed in the morning hours," said president of the Sector 18 Traders Association S K Jain.
Gautam Budh Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma said, "Traders voluntarily kept shops closed. They are fed up with rising crime and police apathy."
BJP state chief Lakshmi Kant Vajpayee, meanwhile, met Pandit's family members and expressed condolence and extended support.
Claiming that the murder was carried out "due to political rivalry", Vajpayee once again demanded a CBI inquiry into the murder.
Pandit's wife Geeta has alleged that he was killed due to election rivalry at the behest of local SP leader Narinder Bhati. She has claimed that Bhati had made threatening calls to Pandit.
Bhati, however, denied the charge.
"BJP is playing politics. I have no role in murder. I never made threatening call to him. If allegations are proved true I will quit politics," said Bhati.
Meanwhile, in Dadri, Samajwadi Party workers held a panchayat at Chithera village in support of Bhati.
They claimed BJP was spreading rumours and maligning the party.
Pandit, husband of Dadri Nagar Panchayat chairperson Geeta, was shot dead by four persons in Dadri on Saturday night.
Furious over the murder, Pandit's supporters torched 16 vehicles and pelted stones at a police team. Police fired in the air to restore calm.
Four persons were yesterday detained for questioning in connection with the murder.
