Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) will keep five stations closed on Sunday, following Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) scheduled protest march up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence.
As advised by police, the Delhi Metro Rail Corp first closed entry and exit at Lok Kalyan Marg station from 12 noon. The Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk and Janpath stations were also shut from 2 pm.
The interchange service will, however, be available at the Central Secretariat station.
A senior Delhi Metro official said entry and exit at the four stations falling in Lutyens’ Delhi zone will be closed from 2pm onwards as per the advice of the Delhi Police.
No entry and exit will be allowed at the Lok Kalyan Marg Metro station, closest to the PM’s residence, from 12 noon onwards, till further orders, the official said.
The AAP is holding the march to support the sit-in of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues at the lieutenant governor’s office for the last six days demanding him to direct IAS officers to end their “strike”.
The party leader had also accused the Centre of misusing its powers to stop Delhi government from working.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with his deputy Manish Sisodia, ministers Satyendar Jain and Gopal Rai, is sitting at the office of Lt Governor Anil Baijal for past one week, demanding him to direct IAS officers to end their “strike” and approve doorstep delivery scheme of his government.
Not getting any response from the Lt Governor, the AAP announced a march to PM Modi’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg starting from Mandi House at 4 pm on Sunday.
No permission sought: Delhi Police
Earlier, hours before the AAP’s protest, the Delhi Police had said no permission was sought for it.
“The call given by the AAP to march towards PM office or residence is without permission. No permission has been applied for. As such the areas under New Delhi district are under prohibitory orders,” Delhi Police said.
“Those trying to take out the march will be detained since no permission has been sought for it,” he said.
AAP slams Delhi Police
Reacting on the development, the AAP leadership has alleged that the Delhi Police was trying to stop people from joining the march.
“Police has got several Metro stations closed down. Barricades have been erected all over Delhi and police is going door to door asking people if they were going for the march. People are being stopped from going for the march,” Delhi AAP Chief Gopal Rai said.
AAP leader Atishi Marlena alleged the Delhi Police was working on the instruction of the PMO.
“Obviously @DelhiPolice is under instructions from @PMOIndia. But they underestimate the power of the common man! Today the people of Delhi are going to show their strength to @PMOIndia! (sic),” she tweeted.
Obviously @DelhiPolice is under instructions from @PMOIndia. But they underestimate the power of the common man! Today the people of Delhi are going to show their strength to @PMOIndia! https://t.co/2ju24BEa14
— Atishi Marlena (@AtishiMarlena) June 17, 2018