- Rahul Gandhi detained, say media reports on Congress protest march in Delhi
- Congress MPs detained, taken away on buses, according to TV news channels
- Sonia Gandhi protests at Parliament, according to TV news channels
- Congress: Denied of democratic right to protest, according to TV news channels
- Several Congress MPs wear black in protest
- Police-Congress face-off in Delhi, as per media reports
- Many Congress leaders detained, according to media reports
The Delhi Police have denied permission to the Congress for holding a protest in the national capital on Friday, citing that prohibitory orders are in place in New Delhi district, officials said.
The Congress has planned a mass protest against price rise, unemployment and the GST hike on essential items on August 5. It will take out a march to the Rashtrapati Bhavan and 'gherao' the prime minister's residence as part of the protest.
Congress workers and leaders on Friday converged at the party headquarters here to participate in the planned nationwide protest.
Top Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reached the party headquarters in the morning. The party leaders, including MPs, are wearing black bands on their arms as a mark of protest.
The Delhi Police, in a letter to All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K C Venugopal, refused permission to the party for holding the protest, citing that prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have been imposed in New Delhi district, the officials said on Friday.
"Information has been received through reliable sources that you along with your supporters are going to hold the protest on Friday. In this regard, it is to inform you that Section 144 CrPC is in force in the entire area of New Delhi district except Jantar Mantar, protest/dharna/gherao in the area of New Delhi district on Friday cannot be permitted in view of security/law and order/traffic reasons and existing guidelines," the letter read.
"Any violation of the direction may invite legal action against you," it stated.
Earlier, the Delhi Police had issued an advisory saying the traffic movement will be affected in parts of Lutyens' Delhi on Friday as the Congress is all set to stage a mass protest against price rise, unemployment and GST hike.
The police have made special arrangements and diversions will be suggested based on expected spots of congestion on major roads.
According to the advisory, in order to facilitate smooth movement of traffic in New Delhi district, buses will be restricted beyond Dhaula Kuan, Ridge Road, Shankar Road, Panchkuian Road, Chelmsford Road, Minto Road, Mathura Road, W-Point, Lodhi Road, Aurbindo Marg, Africa Avenue, Moti Bagh red light (Shanti Path).
The advisory also stated that due to special traffic arrangements, movement on the Kamal Attaturk Marg, Kautilya Marg, Teen Murti Marg, Rajaji Marg, Akbar Road, Safdarjung Road and Raisina Road will hardly be possible.
The commuters should expect heavy congestion on Sardar Patel Marg, Shanti Path, Panchsheel Marg, Tughlak Road, APJ Abdul Kalam Road, Prithvi Raj Road, Shahjahan Road, Zakir Hussain Marg, Mulana Azad Road, Rafi Marg, Janpath Road, Ashoka Road, Rajender Prasad Road, Mother Teresa Cresent Marg, Baba Kharak Singh Marg and Mathura Road due to special traffic arrangements, it read.
The advisory suggested that the commuters using vehicles are requested to plan their journey in advance accordingly for their convenience.
"Special arrangements have been made and necessary diversions have been suggested on expected congestion points. We have made all the contingency arrangements for all types of situations, and we will ensure that least inconvenience is caused to the public," Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) S S Yadav had said on Thursday.
