On a day when massive protests are planned in the national capital, the Delhi Metro has decided to shut down the entry and exit gates of several metro stations whereas Section 144 has been imposed in areas surrounding the Red Fort, Jamia Millia Islamia and Seelampur.?
According to the order under Section 144, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed and there will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meetings or rallies during the period of operation of this order.
The Delhi Metro is the lifeline for commuters in and around national capital and is the preferred mode of travel for most residents in NCR.?
Entry and exit gates of at least seven metro stations were closed on Thursday due to the protests against the amended Citizenship Act.
"Entry & exit gates of Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Vishwavidyalaya are closed. Trains will not be halting at these stations," the DMRC tweeted.
Gates of Jamia Millia Islamia, Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh and Munirka were also closed. Trains will not be halting at these stations, it said.?
Meanwhile, anti-government posters in all sizes and colours covered the long boundaries of Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi as protests outside the university against the controversial Citizenship Act and the National Register of Citizens continued.
Outside the varsity gate number 7, the protesters, including students and local residents, hung a large map of India for showing the sites of campus protests across the country against the citizenship law.
People, unknown and famous, addressed the gathering at regular intervals last night. These included social activist Medha Patkar and former Jawaharlal Nehru University students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar.
?In view of violence during demonstrations in different parts of the country against the amended citizenship law, the Uttar Pradesh police has also said no permission has been given for protests as prohibitory orders are in place in the entire state.
"Section?144?(prohibiting unlawful assembly) of CrPC is in force and no permission for any gathering has been given for December 19. Please do not participate. Parents are also requested to counsel their children," DGP OP Singh said in a tweet.
Section 144 also empowers the authorities to block internet access. No order under Section 144 shall remain in force for more than two months but can extend maximum up to six months. It can be withdrawn at any point of time if the situation becomes normal.
With PTI Inputs