Sealing continues on day two

Tight security was in place as MCD officials target illegal commercial structures in south and central Delhi.

Tight security was in place on Thursday as authorities continued sealing illegal commercial establishments in residential areas while thousands of schools in New Delhi reopened after two days of forced holiday.

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The sealing drive took off in the Moolchand area in south Delhi and is expected to move towards Ashram, Defence Colony, South Extension and Greater Kailash.

"Like Wednesday, the drive will continue in the south and central zones on Thursday. By starting from these two upmarket zones, we want to convey the message that all are equal in the eye of law. There is no question of not targeting the big fish," said a top official of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The Delhi government's education department said all schools in the capital had reopened as no violence had been reported on Wednesday.

Scores of commercial establishments, including the main office of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), a nodal body that regulates the Indian telecom sector, had been sealed on Wednesday amid tight security and renewed zeal.

Similar drives were also carried out in Hauz Khas and South Extension-II. A total of 171 commercial establishments were sealed in the south and central zones.

On Monday the Supreme Court had dismissed a bunch of petitions filed by the MCD and the central government and directed that the sealing operation resumed immediately.