Following coronavirus outbreak, the Delhi Police on Tuesday removed people protesting against the citizenship law at Shaheen Bagh and other places in the national Capital.

According to RP Meena, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Southeast district, a total of nine protesters, including six women, were detained at Shaheen Bagh and taken to a nearby police station.

“People were requested to vacate the site as lockdown has been imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, action was taken when they refused to end the gathering,” said the DCP.

The agitators, mostly women, had been on a sit-in at the site for over three months to protest the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). “Most of the protesters vacated the site after police made an appeal but a few refused. So, police detained them. A decision about resuming the protest will be taken after the coronavirus situation comes under control,” a volunteer at the site requesting anonymity said.

On Sunday, during the “Janta curfew”, only five women were at the site while others had left their slippers as a symbol of solidarity. “The women were taking all precautions amid the coronavirus outbreak and sanitisers had been arranged at the venue to ensure utmost hygiene,” a volunteer said.

Other protest sites, including Jafrabad in Northeast Delhi, Turkman Gate in Central Delhi and Hauz Rani in South Delhi also were cleared by the police.

The move comes two days after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a complete lockdown in the national Capital till March 31 in order to control the spread of coronavirus.

The Delhi Police has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in the national capital till March 31 banning protests and other gatherings.