Traders’ bodies including the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) and the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) have announced a ‘bandh’ across the national capital on Friday to protest against the
Pahalgam terror attack as trade organisations held a candle march Thursday at the Connaught Place here to express solidarity with the victims.
CAIT said it appeals to all traders across Delhi to voluntarily keep their establishments closed and observe the bandh peacefully.
BJP MP from Chandni Chowk, Praveen Khandelwal on Thursday stated that this bandh is not a protest but a symbol of tribute and national solidarity.
“More than 100 markets are expected to remain shut in response to the call, the CTI said.
Wearing black armbands, members of the CTI and over 100 trade organisations registered their protest at Connaught Place on Thursday.
Traders from key markets such as Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Bhagirath Place, Rajouri Garden and Sarojini Nagar, participated in the march on Thursday, a statement said.
CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said that the business community is deeply disturbed by the incident and stands united in condemning the attack.
There is widespread anger among the traders, said Rahul Adalkha, a vice president of the CTI.
The markets supporting Friday’s shutdown include Sadar Bazar, Bhagirath Place, Gandhinagar, Naya Bazar, Khari Baoli, Chawri Bazar, Hindustan Mercantile (Chandni Chowk), Jama Masjid and Hauz Qazi, the statement said.
Additionally, various merchant associations from the cloth, spice, utensil and bullion markets will also take part in the bandh, it added.
Political and trade groups and civil society organisations across the country have hit the streets to register their protest against civilian killings in Pahalgam.
