CJP Protest: After Rail Blockade, Delhi Police Seeks Closure of 57 Metro Stations Citing Security Concerns
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Delhi Police has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to shut 57 metro stations from 9 pm on Friday until Saturday, October 10, citing the possibility of “unruly mob movement towards sensitive locations” ahead of the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The proposed restrictions could affect movement within the national capital on the day of the planned demonstration, adding to the transport curbs announced ahead of the protest. Indian Railways had earlier ordered the cancellation of several Delhi-bound trains during the protest window.
In a letter dated Thursday, Joint Commissioner of Police (Transport Range) Rajneesh Gupta said the frequency of metro trains passing through the affected stations may also be reduced on October 10, depending on the situation.
The request comes ahead of CJP’s planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar, where protesters are expected to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
57 Metro Stations Could Face Restrictions
The stations named in the police request include several key interchange points and locations across Delhi. These include:
- Central Delhi: Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Barakhamba Road
- Government and institutional areas: Supreme Court and Indraprastha
- North Delhi: Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, Azadpur and Rohini West
- South Delhi: INA and Hauz Khas
- Other locations: Jamia Millia Islamia, Shaheen Bagh and Welcome
The proposed shutdown would begin at 9 pm on Friday and continue through Saturday. Train frequency at the affected stations could also be reduced, depending on the security situation.
The police request does not, by itself, confirm that DMRC has ordered the closures. The final operational decision will determine how commuters are affected.
Rail Restrictions Had Already Been Announced
The proposed metro curbs follow an earlier railway directive affecting trains bound for Delhi.
Indian Railways had ordered the cancellation of Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday, October 10. The stated reason was anticipated severe road traffic congestion.
The directive also affected trains originating after 2 pm on Friday, with services to be halted at their originating stations, according to the earlier order.
With the railway cancellations affecting access to Delhi and the proposed metro restrictions potentially affecting movement within the city, commuters and people planning to attend the protest could face disruptions at both stages of their journey.
Protest Against Chief Election Commissioner
CJP has called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protest follows allegations of voter-list tampering during the SIR exercise and claims that Form 6, used to register as a voter, was altered without involving the other two Election Commissioners.
These remain allegations against the Election Commission leadership.
The police have cited security concerns and the possibility of movement towards sensitive locations in seeking the metro restrictions. The proposed measures could significantly affect public transport on Saturday, although the extent of the disruption will depend on the final decisions taken by DMRC and the authorities.
