Why are Delhi shopkeepers building walls in front of their own shops?

Around 200 shopkeepers in Delhi’s New Ashok Nagar have built brick walls in front of their own shops, covering them up before authorities could seal them. What was once a bustling market now looks like it never existed. The panic began after a 6 May letter started circulating among traders. In it, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) sought police assistance from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) for a sealing drive scheduled on 12 May, stating that commercial activity cannot operate in a residential area. But on Tuesday, 12 May, after protests and appeals from shopkeepers and residents, the proposed sealing drive was put on hold, bringing temporary relief to hundreds of traders. While BJP MLA Ravikant Ujjain has assured shopkeepers that their businesses will not be affected overnight, the walls are still standing. This Press Freedom Month, pay to keep news free: https://rzp.io/rzp/mXpe9j3 Join us on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va61PEo0QeacOqU9vr2k Download the accessible Newslaundry app: https://www.newslaundry.com/download-app Follow and engage with us on social media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/newslaundry Twitter: https://twitter.com/newslaundry Instagram: https://instagram.com/newslaundry