n a similar manner, some barricades were removed on February 11 also. (Photo Credit: File Photo)
New Delhi :
The Noida-Delhi route via Kalindi Kunj was closed again after brief respite for commuters on Friday. The route was blocked for more than two months due to ongoing anti-CAA protests in Shaheen Bagh area. On Friday morning, some of the barricades were removed to ease traffic congestion. The route from Mahamaya flyover via Delhi to Faridabad was opened on Friday morning. However, News Nation has learnt that the barricades are back in place and the route is closed for the commuters. In a similar manner, some barricades were removed on February 11 also. An NDTV report said that the decision was taken after consultation between police forces of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
The route has been affected for more than two months now. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court-appointed interlocutors are trying to talk to the protesters to shift the stir at a different site. During the first meeting, Shaheen Bagh protesters openly talked about their right to protest and whey they fear the Citizenship (amended) Act and NRC. They also criticized the government for not talking to them directly. While hearing the protesters, Hegde did say that he was impressed by the views.
On February 17, the Supreme Court-appointed senior counsel Sanjay Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran as interlocutors to talk to Shaheen Bagh protesters. In a stern observation, the top court said, “when strong views emerge, you cannot say don't put forth your strong views. Those things don't trouble us. The only thing troubling is the blocking of a public road.”
During the hearing, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph had said that, “there’s a law enacted, and challenge to it is pending in the Court. It’s fine that some people may want to protest. The protests have gone on for many days… There must be an area where you can protest. It cannot be held wherever one wants. It has to be in identified area… Otherwise people will go and protest anywhere.” The apex court was hearing petitions filed by Advocate Amit Sahni and Delhi BJP leader Nand Kishore Garg on the Shaheen Bagh blockade.
On February 10, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the anti-CAA protests that have been going on in south Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh area since December 15 last year. “You cannot block public roads indefinitely, protests cannot continue like this,” the top court said. Restrictions have been imposed on the stretch as also the Okhla underpass due to protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
(With agency inputs)
