CAA stir: Mobile services suspended in parts of Delhi; protesters detained near Red Fort

Protestors were detained by Delhi Police near Red Fort when y tried to carry out a march against amended Citizenship Act in defiance of Section 144 imposed by government. Protestors, which included activists and students, were dragged into buses in a bid to clear area. Holding placards and shouting slogans, protesters allowed mselves to be escorted to buses.

Swarajya Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav was among those who were detained, officials said.  "I have just been detained from Lal Qila. About a thousand protesters already detained. Thousands on way. I am told we are being taken to Bawana," Yadav tweeted."I kw many of our mates are being detained, despite that many have gared here. citizenship of this country cant be divided and this is our protest call today," Yadav said. 

Delhi Police has urged protestors to go to designated place for ir protest.  "We are requesting protestors to please apply for designated place for protest. In n-designated places, public face problems and many emergency services get affected.  "We urge people to t listen to any rumours. Section 144 has already been imposed in area. Please cooperate with Delhi Police," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Mandeep Singh Randhawa said. 

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Delhi protests

As protests heat in national capital, as a precautionary measure, government has told mobile operators to suspend call, text and internet services in some areas. Two protests are scheduled in national capital, one by students and activists and or by left parties. two marches are to meet at Shaheen Park near.  As per order, services were suspended for locations including walled city areas of rth and central districts, Mandi House, Seelampur, Jaffarbad, Mustafabad, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh, and Bawana. Telecom service providers including Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio barred services to comply with order. 

"In view of prevailing law and order situation, it is hereby directed that communication of all types i.e. voice, SMS and internet, be halted from 0900 hours to 1300 hours in Cell IDs/BTS (base transceiver stations) covering following areas for 19-12-2019," said order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, New Delhi. 

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Thursday closed entry and exit gates of 16 stations for commuters. Earlier in morning, DMRC had closed gates of seven stations, including Jamia Millia, Jama Masjid and Munirka. Seven more stations were closed soon after, followed by two more. Metro stations which are closed include Patel Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg, Udyog Bhawan, ITO, Pragati Maidan, and Khan Market. gates of Central Secretariat were also closed but interchange facility was available for passengers. Or stations that are closed are Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Lal Quila, Vishwa Vidyalaya.

Protests that erupted last week in opposition to Citizenship Act, have refused to douse. Nation-wide protests by political parties, organisations and students are scheduled to be held on December 19, to oppose bill passed by Parliament. Delhi, West Bengal, rastern states, Uttar Pradesh, are already witnessing massive protests. 

(with PTI inputs) 

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