The Hindu : Rallyists hold Delhiites to ransom

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 27, 2003

Other States

Other States - New Delhi

Rallyists hold Delhiites to ransom

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI FEB. 25. Thousands of activists of various Leftist-trade unions today literally held ordinary Delhiites to ransom for hours as they occupied one entire carriageway of Vikas Marg in gross violation of Supreme Court orders on their way to a protest march against the Government's "anti-people, anti-labour and anti-national'' policies.

The traffic was brought to a standstill by the protestors in various parts of Delhi. The worst affected was East Delhi where about 20,000 activists began walking down Vikas Marg during peak rush hour at around 8-30 a.m.

Though the Supreme Court has clearly laid down that only one-third of a carriageway should be occupied by protestors, on Vikas Marg they occupied the full southern carriageway forcing Traffic Police to run traffic from both sides on just one.

Since it took the activists over two hours to cover the stretch, the traffic remained still almost all the while. Though the Traffic police did act smart and diverted the processionists after they had crossed the Yamuna towards the Delhi Secretariat and Rajghat en route Ram Lila Ground -- where about 50,000 protestors assembled -- the damage had already been done.

With the Leftist union activists also approaching the venue in large numbers from Mathura Road, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and three other routes, the chaos was total. There is no count of how many assignments and appointments were missed and what was the economic loss due to idle manhours.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), New Delhi Range, Arun Kampani, said the processionists violated all norms even though at a previous meeting their leaders had promised that they would keep to a side of the road and let traffic move smoothly.

``I have now written to several trade union leaders as well as other groups to desist from such conduct. This will not only be for their own convenience, it will also not spoil the day for lakhs of citizens of Delhi,'' Mr. Kampani said.

As to why rallyists were being allowed in such large number to converge at the heart of the city, since traffic snarls due to such protests and rallies were becoming common place -- especially when Parliament is in session -- he said that decision has to be made elsewhere.

``As far as the Traffic Police is concerned, its duty is to provide a right of way. For otherwise a law and order situation can arise. But whenever we will see a violation, we will write a strong note to whosoever is responsible,'' the officer said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

Public welcomes rail budget

Four crushed to death

Pathetic work scenario at garment export units

Rallyists hold Delhiites to ransom

Fingers crossed over Union Budget