Jat protests: Prohibitory orders, metro services restrictions to affect Delhiites
The massive Jat protests demanding reservations in education and government jobs are likely to throw life out of gear in Delhi.
Ahead of the Jat protests that are likely to throw life out of gear in the national capital, entry of people to Lutyens' Delhi will be restricted from today as Delhi Police has decided to impose prohibitory orders to prevent the community members from going ahead with their march to Parliament on Monday.
In view of the massive protest that the Jats have planned to press in for their demands of reservation, Metro services will also be hugely affected. Metro trains will not travel beyond the city's borders from 11.30 PM today, while 12 stations in Central Delhi will be shut from 8 PM till further orders.
Delhi Police has decided to impose prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 across the national capital from Sunday and put a strict vigil in Lutyens' Delhi on Monday to prevent protesters.
The All India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJASS), which is spearheading the agitation demanding reservations in education and government jobs, has given a call for a march to the national capital to gherao Parliament and to hold dharnas on the Delhi border blocking all highways to press for its demands.
They are also demanding withdrawing of criminal cases registered against several youths of the community, release of those lodged in jail, and compensation and government jobs to the next of kin of those killed in last year's agitation.
Samiti president Yashpal Malik had said the Jats riding their tractors and small vehicles, and carrying at least 10-day rations will march towards Delhi on the highways from the neighbouring states.
"Under no circumstances, any kind of dharna, violent protest will be allowed in Delhi. We have put adequate security and safety measures in place and tractor-trolleys will not be allowed to enter Delhi from border areas," said Dependra Pathak, chief spokesperson of Delhi Police and Special Commissioner of Police (Operations).
A three-tier security cover will be in place with 110 companies of external force assisting Delhi Police in maintaining vigil.
Delhi Police advised students and those appearing in various entrance examinations to start before time so that they do not get stuck owing to heavy checking and blockades.
"All the checkings will be in place and there might be inconvenience for children and entrance exam aspirants. It is advised that those who are appearing for CBSE exams or for other entrance exams should keep a track of time," he said.
From 11 PM today, entry to Lutyens' Delhi will be restricted and persons fulfilling certain criterion will only be allowed entry after proper verification and checking.
Bona fide residents, employees working in offices situated in Lutyens' Delhi, emergency vehicles, entrance exam candidates, ambulance, hearse van, fire brigade, school buses and those who have come to the area for some work will only be allowed entry after furnishing proof, said another officer.
"New Delhi will not be used as transit point for people going from north to south Delhi or vice-versa. Commuters wishing to travel from south Delhi to central Delhi are advised to use Ring Road," said Delhi Traffic Police in an advisory.
Roads like Kamal Ataturk Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kautilya Marg, Kautilaya T Point Near Bihar Bhawan, route from Teen Murti to Gole Methi roundabout and Zakir Hussain Road for the commuters coming from Nizamuddin to India Gate will be closed from 8 PM onwards tomorrow.
Other routes between Ring Road and San Martin Marg, Amrita Shergill from Lodhi Road, Max Mueller Mag from Lodhi Road, Arch Bishop Macarious from Lodhi Road and all lanes leading to Panchkuia road except Mandir Marg, RK Ashram Marg and Hospital Road will be closed from tomorrow 11 PM onwards.
Metro services to be severely curtailed from today evening
Metro trains will not travel beyond the city's borders from 11.30 PM today, while 12 stations in Central Delhi will be shut from 8 PM till further orders.
The affected stations will be Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Lok Kalyan Marg, Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, R K Ashram Marg, Pragati Maidan, Khan Market and Shivaji stadium.
However, interchange facility will be available at all the interchange stations.
As directed by Delhi Police, services will not be available at Yellow line stations at Gurgaon, Blue Line stations at Noida and Violet Line stations at Faridabad.
"The services to all these stations will be resumed only after getting clearance from Delhi Police," a metro official said.
All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJASS), which is spearheading the Jat quota stir, had given a call for the march to Delhi on March 20 to besiege Parliament and to hold dharnas on the Delhi border, blocking all highways, to press for their demands for reservation.
Stop Jats from reaching Delhi, Home Ministry tells states
The Centre has asked police forces of Delhi and its neighbouring states to stop the agitators before they reach the borders of the capital.
In an advisory, the Union Home Ministry told Delhi Police and governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to invoke CrPC 144 to stop Jat protesters, who threatened to stage protests in Delhi demanding reservations in jobs and education, from reaching the national capital, official sources said.
Arrest or detain the protesters much before they enter Delhi, disallow movement of buses carrying the protesters on highways and ban tractor trolley movement, the advisory said.
Top Home Ministry officials also reviewed the security situation in the national capital and neighbouring states in the wake of threat by the Jats.
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi took stock of the law and order situation in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on Wednesday with senior police officials of the four states.
He instructed the officials to ensure peace and prevent attempts to disrupt normal life during the protests.
(With PTI inputs)