Shopkeepers hit by Qasab's trial

The trial of Mumbai terror attack accused Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab has an adversely affected the business of shopkeepers in the locality.

The trial of Mumbai terror attack accused Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab has not only cast a heavy responsibility on police to provide round-the-clock security in and around Arthur Road Central prison housing the special court, but it also seems to have adversely affected the business of shopkeepers in the locality.

More than 200 police are deployed in different shifts outside the jail.
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A strong posse of police force posted at various points are drawn from all the 84 police stations in the city.
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Every police station has been asked to depute at least two constables on security duty, said an official from Kandivali police station.

Shopkeepers in the locality are already a worried lot as their business has taken a hit. P R Shanbag, Manager of restaurant, Vandana, which has seen a steady steam of patrons in the last 15 years since the 1993 bomb blast trial, said, "Our business has come down by 50 per cent. You can see for yourself how many clients are here."
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The restaurant is located just outside the jail.

When actor Sanjay Dutt was facing trial in 1993 blasts in TADA court set up in the jail premises, his fans would gather outside the prison in large numbers to have a glimpse of their favourite star.

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