Gujjar bandh hits traffic in New Delhi

New Delhi, June 4: Violence and road blockades hit places in and around Delhi today following a bandh called by the Gujjars to express solidarity with their Rajasthan brethren, demanding ST status for the community.

Protestors gathered at Wazirpur area, Khichdipur, Gazipur and Dhulupura areas raising slogans and marching across the streets.

Violence was reported from Ayanagar and Badarpur areas in south Delhi and Gazhipur area in east Delhi after the protestors indulged in stone pelting and clashed with police.

In Ghitorini area of south Delhi, several people were rounded up when they turned violent and attacked the police.

Stone pelting incidents have also been reported from the Loni border and in Pandav Nagar area.

Traffic snarls were reported from several areas in the cities, including Noida Expressway, Mayur Vihar area, Delhi-Jaipur Highway and Lakshmi Nagar area.

Agitated demonstators also blocked traffic on the Faridabad-Gurgaon highway.

Traffic jam was also reported on the Delhi-Faridabad highway with people blocking the road with stones and barricades while others burnt the effigy of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

On the Delhi-Jaipur highway, protestors blocked roads by parking vehicles and refused to allow movement of traffic despite the presence of police personnels.

Delhi police has spread a security blanket all over the city, specially on the border areas where the Gujjars reside in large numbers.

Security pickets have been set up at several places in border areas to screen people coming from outside to Delhi.

Patrolling all over the city has been intensified and enough security personnel deployed at several strategic points to prevent any violence or untoward incident, said a Delhi police spokesman.

UNI