'We were attacked, manhandled' by Delhi police: UDF MPs from Kerala in LS
New Delhi, March 24: United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs from Kerala on Thursday alleged that they were "attacked and manhandled" by Delhi police personnel during their protest here against the proposed semi-high-speed K-Rail-Silverline Project in the state.
The Delhi Police, however, denied the allegations, saying its personnel did not manhandle any parliamentarian.
Raising the issue in Lok Sabha soon after the Question Hour, Congress member K Suresh said a total of 12 MPs, including women parliamentarians, had started their protest march from Vijay Chowk at 10.45 am on Thursday when Delhi police personnel came and "blocked them without any provocation".
"We told them we were MPs. They (police) said you (protesting MPs) are shouting slogans. We said it is our right to shout slogans. They assaulted us, manhandled us, pushed us without any provocation," Suresh told Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
The SilverLine project of the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala has been facing massive protests over the survey and marking of the corridor boundary, and is embroiled in a political controversy. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Thursday.
Delhi Police PRO Suman Nalwa said,"A few people came to the north fountain barricade point from the media lawn shouting in Malayalam. They were stopped by the staff at the barricades. They claimed to be MPs and continued shouting. They were asked to show IDs which they denied. Meanwhile, staff from security picket of the gate number one of Parliament were called to identify the MPs.
"The staff came and identified the MPs and they were then allowed to go forward. There was no manhandling of any MP. The staff at the barricades only tried to stop as they were shouting and moving towards Parliament without revealing their identity," .
RSP member N K Premchandran called the incident "unfortunate" and said the police personnel were well aware that all those participating in the protest were MPs, but still did not alow them to enter the Parliament complex.
"This is a question of our privilege. They even came to the precincts of Parliament and prevented us," he said and asked, "What is the authority of Delhi police to forcibly prevent the MPs from entering Parliament."
After hearing the members, the Speaker said that he will discuss the matter with them and then speak to the concerned officers.
"You have given me (raised the grievance) in writing also," he added.
Raising the matter in Rajya Sabha, Congress member K C Venugopal said when the MPs were returning to Parliament after their peaceful demonstration, Delhi Police "literally" stopped and manhandled them, including a woman MP.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked the Congress member to provide the details of the incident, saying he will find out from the home ministry.
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2 days' WFH for govt offices, Metro use by ministers: Delhi CM's call for fuel conservation
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced a slew of measures including two days of 'work from home' (WFH) for government offices, use of Metro trains on Mondays by ministers and officers, and a voluntary 'no-vehicle day' every week.
Gupta said in a press conference attended by her Cabinet colleagues that the government has drawn an extensive plan under "Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan" to implement the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for saving fuel and wise expenditure.
She said all Delhi government offices will follow WFH two days a week. The private sector will also be requested to follow it, she said.
Gupta said all ministers, officers and she herself will use Metro for commuting on Mondays while people will be requested to observe 'no-vehicle day' every week.
The government has also decided to cancel all official foreign visits by ministers for one year while no big events will be hosted by it for the next three months, she said.
The chief minister said petrol and diesel quotas of the Delhi government officers have also been slashed by 20 per cent.
Earlier, Gupta headed a meeting with all her Cabinet ministers and senior officers of the government to discuss ways to save fuel and other resources amid global uncertainty over crude oil and gas supplies.
The chief minister has also cut down on her carcade by 60 per cent, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to people to spend wisely and save fuel in view of the war in West Asia.
The chief minister's convoy now has only four vehicles, including two EVs.
