New Delhi:
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Thursday closed entry and exit gates Rajiv Chowk Metro Station in view of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. This is the 19th metro station that has been closed in the national capital. “Entry and exit gates of Rajiv Chowk are closed. Interchange facility is available at this station,” DMRC tweeted.
Earlier in the morning, the DMRC had closed gates of stations like Jamia Millia, Jama Masjid and Munirka, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Barakhamba, Mandi House, Vasant Vihar, Lok Kalyan Marg, Udyog Bhawan, ITO, Pragati Maidan, and Khan Market.
The gates of Central Secretariat were also closed but interchange facility was available for passengers. Other stations which are closed are: Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Lal Quila, Vishwa Vidyalaya.
Sources said the entry and exit gates were closed so that people going to protest venues could be dissuaded.
Meanwhile, scores of protestors were detained by the Delhi Police near Red Fort when they tried to take out a march to protest the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in defiance of the prohibitory orders imposed there.
Swarajya Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav, former JNU student Umar Khalid and ex-JNUSU president N Sai Balaji were among those who were detained, officials said.
"I have just been detained from Lal Qila. About a thousand protesters already detained. Thousands on the way. Am told we are being taken to Bawana," Yadav tweeted.
"I know many of our mates are being detained, despite that many have gathered here. The citizenship of this country cannot be divided and this is our protest call today," Yadav said.
Protestors, which included activists and students, were dragged into buses in a bid to clear the area. Holding placards and shouting slogans, the protesters allowed themselves to be escorted to the buses.
"Picked up by Delhi Police from Red Fort. We had gathered to protest against the divisive CAB-NRC on Ashfaq & Bismil's martyrdom day. I appeal to all peacefully keep protesting till unconstitutional CAB-NRC is rolled back. This is something we owe to Ashfaq & Bismil's sacrifice," Khalid tweeted.
The Delhi Police has urged protestors to go to the designated place for their protest. "We are requesting the protestors to please apply for the designated place for the protest. In the non-designated places, public face problems and many emergency services get affected.
With PTI Inputs
