Congress' protests intensify outside ED office in Delhi, Section 144 imposed. This comes on day-3 of Rahul Gandhi being quizzed by ED.
NEW DELHI — Hundreds of Congress workers continued to stage protests at different locations in the national capital over their leader Rahul Gandhi being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in the National Herald case for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.
The sloganeering and massive protest began soon after Gandhi reached the ED office located at the Abdul Kalam road in the city. There was heavy police deployment in and around the Congress headquarters and the Enforcement Directorate office.
The police personnel in heavy numbers, along with paramilitary force and rapid action force teams were deployed at several points to avoid any untoward incident.
As a precautionary measure, the police detained several party workers, including women. The police could be seen picking up the Congress workers who were sitting in front of the barricades and bundled them in their vehicle.
Agitated party workers also burnt two tires outside the ED office to register the protest against the police action to stifle their voice.
The party leaders alleged that the police are not allowing them to even protest against the government and are continuously harassing them. Party leader Deepender Singh Hooda accused the Delhi Police of sealing his residence and not even allowing him to visit his own party headquarters.
“Since this morning my Delhi residence has been sealed by Police, hundreds of supporters are present along with family at home. Is it a crime to hold a peaceful march in Delhi?” Hooda said.
At the same time, the police continued to detain the party leaders and workers from different locations. AICC Media Secretary Vineet Punia was detained from outside the AICC office at 24 Akbar Road. Among the leaders who have been detained include Indian Youth Congress chief B.V. Srinivas and Delhi Congress chief Anil Chaudhary.
Security forces and barricading continue to be deployed near Akbar Road for the third day, with Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure imposed in the area to prevent gatherings.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who is currently admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi due to Covid-related issues, has also been summoned by the ED for questioning in the case on June 23. — IANS (Inputs added)
