May 8, 2013 - NEW DELHI: Measures to stop a few hundred Sikh protesters from reaching Parliament threw traffic out of gear in central Delhi on Tuesday morning. In an attempt to prevent protests while the House was in session, Delhi Police turned the area into a fortress by barricading roads and streets.
"Parliament is in session and to thwart protests in the sensitive area we have shut down the roads," a police official told TOI. But commuters TOI spoke to said it was a knee-jerk reaction after the Union home minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, expressed his displeasure over 250 Sikh protesters reaching Vijay Chowk on Monday. He had even sought a report on the incident from LG Tejendra Khanna.
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| New Delhi witnessed fresh protests today against the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Demanding stringent punishment for Mr Kumar, the protesters marched towards Prime Minister's residence. Sikh community members during a protest demanding justice for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. (PTI) |
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| Sikh community members during a protest demanding justice for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. (PTI) |
A large number of police personnel, including some from Rapid Action Force (RAF), were also deployed near Shinde's residence on Krishna Menon Marg. All arterial roads were choked as parts of Rafi Marg, Rajendra Prasad Road, Talkatora, Rakabganj Road and Dalhousie Road"all leading to Parliament House—were closed to traffic.
People traveling to Central Secretariat by bus had to walk down from Janpath as buses were diverted. There were jams near RML Hospital, Gole Dak Khana and other areas.
"I had to park my car near Rail Bhawan and walk to office in the morning as Vijay Chowk was shut from all sides,'' an official of the home ministry said.
Police had stepped up checking near Vijay Chowk since Monday night. "Every time there is a protest in the city" whether it is Kejriwal's party or protests against gang-rapes" police just shut down the city. Why do you need extra force on the ground if you shut out the common man on the street?'' said Aditi Sharma, a final-year DU student.
In the last few days, Sikh protestors have been detained for attempting to march towards Parliament House and protesting on roads leading to it against the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 riots case. Amit Singh, a resident of west Delhi, said, "Usually, it takes 20 minutes from home to my office in Connaught Place, but today it took an hour to cover half the distance".
A police traffic advisory stated that Section 144 CrPC has been imposed due to the ongoing Parliament session and Rafi Marg has been closed from Tuesday onwards.