As protests continue in Delhi over the NEET-UG paper leak, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has said that 18 metro stations will remain closed in the national capital on Saturday (July 25) from 7:30 am. The decision has been taken in view of security concerns amid the ongoing protests in Central Delhi.
The closures come after Delhi Police tightened security around Jantar Mantar following the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which turned violent, with police using tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. While activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike, the CJP has maintained that the protests will continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns from his position.
Which Metro Stations Are Closed On Saturday?
Given the violent clashes between protesters and police, the DMRC has announced that the following stations will remain closed on Saturday:
- Lok Kalyan Marg
- Rajiv Chowk
- Patel Chowk
- Ramakrishna Ashram Marg
- Barakhambha Road
- Supreme Court
- Seva Teerth
- Janpath
- Mandi House
- Central Secretariat
- ITO
- Delhi Gate
- Indraprastha
- Khan Market
- Jor Bagh
- Shivaji Stadium
- Jhandewalan
- New Delhi
The DMRC said that while these stations are closed, interchange facilities will continue to operate at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat.
Delhi NEET Protests
On July 20, a protest over the NEET paper leak, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party in Delhi, turned violent, with police facing backlash for using tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. Protesters have accused Delhi Police of using excessive force during the demonstrations. The incident triggered outrage across the country, sparking demonstrations in several parts of the nation. There have also been instances of police officials being beaten by a mob. The CJP has distanced itself from the violence in the national capital, saying that the miscreants who incited violence were not part of the students’ protest organised by them, but ill elements attempting to derail the peaceful demonstration.
The CJP has maintained that it will not accept anything less than the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Following talks with the government on Friday (July 24) at the Constitution Club of India that lasted nearly two hours, the CJP said the government had asked for more time, until Saturday afternoon, to consider their demand for Pradhan’s resignation. Another round of discussions is expected today.
Also Read:Maharashtra TET Paper Leak Mastermind Bijendra Kumar Baleshwar Shah Arrested In Bihar
The CJP has also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for every family of a NEET aspirant who died by suicide, along with the withdrawal of FIRs and legal cases against students who participated in the protests.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed action against paper leaks in the country. He has also said the government will set up fast-track courts for paper leak cases and promised “stricter penalties” for such incidents.