Delhi Police on Friday detained Sukhbir Badal, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Harsimrat Kaur Badal, former Union Minister along with 15 party leaders for taking out a protest march against the Centre’s three farm laws on Friday in violation of Covid-19 guidelines.
According to Deepak Yadav, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi district, the President of Sukhbir Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and the 15 party leaders were detained at Parliament Street Police Station and released later.
The SAD under the leadership of its Sukhbir Singh Badal had given a call to take out the march starting from Gurdwara Talab Ganj Sahib to Parliament House against the "anti-farmer" laws passed by the Central Government.
According to police, they were not granted permission to hold the protest in view of the existing guidelines framed under the Supreme Court’s order and other guidelines issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority to prevent and control the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Police cited that all type of social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious and festival-related gatherings are prohibited till September 30 untill further orders.
Meanwhile, there were massive traffic jams at several parts of the national Capital, including Lutyens' Delhi and ITO on Friday morning following the protest march organised by members of the SAD. The Delhi Traffic Police (DTP) also on Friday alerted commuters about the closure of specific roads and suggested diversions to avoid any inconvenience.
The traffic police said most of the calls regarding traffic jams came from New Delhi, Dhaula Kuan, ITO, Vikas Marg, Delhi Gate and Karol Bagh areas. The ITO stretch was heavily choked by the vehicles. There was also heavy traffic at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital roundabout.
Due to the protest call by farmers to assemble at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj, police pickets were placed as a precaution at different areas in the national Capital while traffic was being released after vehicles were being checked, a senior traffic police official said.
According to police, the road from Sardar Patel Marg to Dhaula Kuan was closed for traffic due to the farmers' movement.
The traffic coming from Gurugram to Sardar Patel Marg and the traffic coming from Narayan to the loop was also diverted towards Ring Road Moti Bagh.