Eight Metro stations shut down in Delhi

A day after thousands of protesters gathered at India Gate demanding justice for the gang rape of a young physiotherapist, the Delhi Police Sunday made the venue out of bounds by shutting down eight Metro stations and barricading all major roads around.

Entry and exit from – Barakhamba, Mandi House, Khan Market, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhavan and Race Course Metro stations was closed to commuters from 6 a.m. while Pragati Maidan station was shut down after 9 a.m. as per the directions of Delhi Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said.

In addition, all major roads leading to Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate were blocked as well by the police. Barricades were placed at Parliament Street, Rajpath, Vijay Chowk, Rafi Marg, Janpath, Mansingh Road, said the Delhi Traffic Police.

The country’s highest seat of power – the Raisina Hill saw massive protests Saturday as thousands of furious and determined youngsters marched towards Rashtrapati Bhavan, raising slogans and demanding justice for the 23-year-old woman who was brutally gang-raped last week and is battling for life in a hospital here.

The police resorted to caning, threw tear gas shells and sprayed them with water in the winter chill to disperse the crowd.