The delegation met Dhere on Saturday to highlight the plight of traders in communally sensitive areas such as Rabodi.

Tension had prevailed in Rabodi on Friday following an altercation between a hawker selling books and a constable on patrol duty. The constable had allegedly shown disrespect to the holy books. He was subsequently suspended.

Following the alleged insult to the holy books, a group indulged in stonepelting, damaging a shop, Payal Traders, owned by one Govind Thakkar. The renovated shop had reopened a month ago after it was gutted in the communal frenzy of September 2008.

In Friday’s incident, Govind’s brother Ashok (46) was allegedly assaulted by members of the group.

Thakkar said: “We have named the persons who damaged the shop and attacked my brother. To our knowledge, the miscreants are yet to be nabbed.”

The traders wanted the miscreants to be booked. “What happened is not communal. I know the Muslim brothers of Rabodi would never indulge in such an act. But the miscreants need to be brought to justice. We have got an assurance from the police commissioner that we will be able to conduct our business without fear,” said Nanji Thakkar Thanawala, president of traders association in Thane.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Vikram Deshmane said: “We have the names of the accused. They have gone into hiding. We are on their trail and will arrest them soon.”