The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) held protests near Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi on Friday to mark one year since the enactment of the Centre's farm laws. The Akali Dal had called for the march from Gurudarwa Rakab Ganj to Parliament to mark September 17 as a black day.
The Delhi Traffic Police on Friday alerted commuters about closure of specific roads and suggested diversions to avoid any inconvenience. Taking to Twitter, the Delhi Traffic Police informed about closure of roads at Jharoda Kalan border and suggested commuters to refrain from using these routes in view of the farmers' movement. Due to a demonstration call by farmers to assemble at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj, police pickets were placed in precaution at different areas in the national capital while traffic is being released after vehicles have been checked, a senior traffic police officer said.
"Gurdwara Rakabganj Road, RML Hospital, GPO, Ashoka Road, Baba Kharak Singh Marg will be full due to the farmers' movement. Please refrain from using these routes," the Delhi Traffic Police tweeted in Hindi. "The traffic coming from Gurgaon to Sadar Patel Marg and the traffic coming from Narayan to loop has also been diverted towards Ring Road Moti Bagh, the traffic will remain heavy," the traffic police said in another tweet.
Taking to Twitter just before 2am on Friday, party president Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged "Peaceful Akali protestors have been stopped at Delhi borders and Punjab registered cars are not being allowed to enter Delhi. Calling the situation an 'undeclared emergency', Harsmirat Kaur Badal tweeted: “Strongly condemn Delhi police for sealing entry points to national capital & detaining Akali Dal workers reaching Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib. Receiving phone calls & videos telling how Police trying to foil protest march to Parl against 3 Farm Laws. It’s an undeclared emergency.”
-with PTI inputs
