Traders? stir against sealing drive in Delhi

Due to the traders' stir shops in all big and small markets will remain shut from October 30 to November 1.

Delhi's traders have called for a three-day bandh in protest against the resumption of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's sealing drive from November 1.
Shops in all big and small markets will remain shut from October 30 to November 1.

On Wednesday, Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general, Confederation of All India Traders, said the bandh was intended to make the government understand the seriousness of the situation. Both the Congress and the BJP have supported the bandh call.

"The government must resort to a constitutional amendment to save the livelihoods of lakhs of traders," said Khandelwal. If the government did not take a decision to do so during the bandh, the traders might go on an indefinite strike, he added.

The last bandh against the sealing of shops, on September 20, had turned violent, causing five deaths.

Traders said they would be more careful to keep out anti-social elements this time. "We will carry out processions and marches, and form human chains, but there will be a special task force of traders to keep an eye on the situation to prevent violence," said Khandelwal.

"The protests will be dignified and suitable to the status of traders."

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