New Delhi, Mar 28: The Confederation of All India Traders of CAIT called a one-day strike in the national capital region on Wednesday to protest against the ongoing sealing drive conducted under the orders of the Supreme Court. The traders' body will also hold a mega-rally at Ramlila Maidan later in the day, which is expected to be attended by over 1 lakh protesters.

Over 2,500 traders' associations, affiliated to the CAIT, have joined the strike. They have been extended support by over 20,000 transport unions in the NCR.

All major markets in Delhi will remain closed today, including Kamla Nagar, Ashok Vihar, Vikas Marg, Preet Vihar, Model Town, Azadpur, Kalkaji, Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazaar. Amar Colony, Khan Market and Greater Kailash, among others.

As  a mark of protest, the traders decided not to send their children to the schools today.

In a statement issued, the CAIT accused the central and state governments of showing apathy towards their plight.

The traders' body has demanded the Centre to rush an ordinance in the Parliament which could stall the top court's sealing order.

The CAIT has also accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state of shedding "crocodile tears". The union has demanded Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to take practical steps towards resolving their plight, rather than doing "political drama".

The scathing remarks of CAIT on Kejriwal came after the Delhi CM announced that he would sit on an indefinite hunger strike if Centre fails to resolve the issue till December 31.

The sealing order was issued by the Supreme Court in 2006, finding a slew of commercial establishments in Delhi operating on land earmarked for residential purpose.

The drive was halted by the court in 2012, after the then state government pitched for Delhi  Master Plan 2021, which could allow commercial establishments to be located simultaneously with the residential premises.

The court, however, asked its monitoring committee to resume the sealing drive in December 2017.

The CAIT has appealed the government to pitch a new Delhi Master Plan 2021-41, which could make provisions for commercial establishments to operate on residential lands.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 28, 2018 10:50 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).