Delhi Metro on Thursday evening closed the entry and exit gate of Rajiv Chowk Metro Station after scores Indian Youth Congress (IYC) activists gathered at Jantar Mantar to protest against the new recruitment rules for the armed forces. The gates were opened after 30 minutes and several protestors were also detained by the police.

“Due to security reasons, Gate No. 5 & 6 are closed at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station. All other gates are operational,” Delhi Metro wrote on its Twitter handle at around 7: 34 PM.

However, at around 7: 58 PM, in another tweet Delhi Metro informed that all gates were open for entry/exit at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station.

The IYC on Thursday evening held a rally near Janpath during which they raised slogans against the Central Government. The IYC activists said they were marching from Kerala House to Jantar Mantar, however, they were stopped by police.

Another group of people said they were holding a peaceful protest in Connaught Place but were detained by police. They also accused the police of using force against them.

The police said around six people had been detained for carrying out the protest without permission.

“They applied for the permission to take out a march around 6.30 PM, but it was denied. We tried to persuade them not to take out the march as they did not have the requisite permission.

But when they did not pay heed to police instructions, they were detained around 7.30 PM and taken to Mandir Marg Police Station,” the senior police official said.