Delhi traders welcome Kalam's statement

The aggrieved traders see a ray of hope in the president's words.

Delhi traders, facing a sealing drive against illegal commercial establishments in residential areas, on Sunday welcomed President APJ Abdul Kalam's statement that he hoped the issue would be sorted out soon.

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"I hope a solution to the sealing issue will come out soon," said Kalam while talking to schoolchildren at the end of a film festival organised by the Children's Film Society of India in New Delhi on Saturday.

The aggrieved traders saw a ray of hope in the president's words.

"Such a statement from the president has come at a very crucial time when the Delhi traders are struggling hard to protect their lives and livelihood from the sealing," said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary-general Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

"This statement has brought great satisfaction among the trading community - that sensing the grave situation, the highest authority in the country has taken cognisance of the matter," he added.

Following a Supreme Court directive, Delhi's civic authorities this month resumed the operation to seal unauthorised shops and commercial units in residential areas even as traders continued their protests against the move.