Protest wary Delhi cops shut roads leading to Parliament

Fearing protests, Delhi Police on Tuesday completely closed or heavily barricaded streets near Parliament House inconveniencing commuters.

The police action a day after Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde expressed strong displeasure over police "failure" to prevent anti-Sikh riots protesters from marching to high-security Vijay chowk and sought a report on the incident.

A large number of police personnel, including those from Rapid Action Force, were also deployed near Shinde's residence on Krishna Menon Marg.

Portions of Rafi Marg, Rajendra Prasad Road, Talkatora, Rakabganj Road and Dalhousie Road, all leading to Parliament House were closed for traffic, causing traffic jams on all arterial roads.

Those who used buses to reach Central Secretariat were caught unawares and had to walk down from Janpath as buses were diverted. Huge snarls were reported from near RMLHospital, Gol Dhakana and other areas.

A late night advisory issued by traffic police on Monday only specified closure of Rafi Marg from round abouts of Sunehri Masjid and Rail Bhawan.

"Due to ongoing Parliament session, large number of VVIPs/motorists are visiting Vijay Chowk, Parliament House, Rafi Marg and surrounding areas. Section 144 CrPC has been imposed. Rafi Marg has been closed from 7th May onwards," Anil Shukla, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), had said in the advisory.