The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange today dropped below the 17,000 level after more than three-and-a-half-week and was trading 214 points down at 16,944 in late afternoon deals. The fall was attributed to sustained selling pressure from operators ahead of the expiry of derivatives contracts on Thursday amid lower Asian cues.Maruti Suzuki India tumbled 4.85 per cent. The company has issued a notice declaring lockout at the company's Manesar plant in Haryana after the violence at the factory resulting in the death of a senior official and injuring 100 others. The 30-share barometer fell by 182 points to trade at 16,976 in its previous session.In a similar fashion, The 50-share Nifty also dropped by 69 points to 5,136 when reports last came in.