Traders body calls for Bharat bandh: Key points

* In a statement, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said commercial markets will remain closed and there will be no business activity.


* Traders in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, J&K and other states will participate in the trade bandh on February 18.

* In Delhi, all wholesale and retail markets will observe bandh on February 18.

* In Delhi prominent markets including Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, Kashmiri Gate, Chawri Bazar, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Rajouri Garden, Kamla Nagar, South Extension, Lajpat Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar, Shahdara, Gandhi Nagar etc will be closed, CAIT said.

* 'The Bharat Trade Bandh' across the country will be peaceful and only business establishments will remain closed. Essential items and public transport have been kept out of bandh.

* During the bandh traders would observe a day-long fast and take out a tribute march in their respective states, CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said.

* The body is planning to organise substantial financial assistance which will be directly given by traders to the families of martyrs, Khandelwal said.

* "In the wake of China supporting Pakistan, the CAIT has also decided to launch a national campaign to boycott Chinese goods,” the traders' body said.

* The call for bandh came four days after 40 CRPF personnel were martyred when their convoy was attacked by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

(With PTI inputs)