Batons, barricades, barrage of queries: Journey interrupted at Delhi’s borders

New Delhi: Police personnel in jackets and helmets stood behind barricades, batons in hand, as vehicles crawled towards Delhi. While some were allowed to pass, others were stopped, their drivers and occupants questioned and asked where they were headed. At several entry points, the journey into the capital came with an extra round of scrutiny. One of the busiest checkpoints Saturday was Chilla border, connecting Noida to east Delhi’s Mayur Vihar. Here, commuters had to navigate successive layers of barricades, with a notice citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), among signs of restrictions in force. As police personnel meticulously checked vehicles, a stretch that normally takes barely two minutes to cross was taking 15 on average. Young commuters were asked where they were going and where they came from, while cabbies were also quizzed about their destinations. Rahul, who was travelling by cab from Noida to Connaught Place, was stopped by police. When asked why he was heading to Delhi despite the restrictions, he said, “My office is open. If I don’t report to work, I will lose my day’s pay.” Ankush and his friends, walking with backpacks slung over their shoulders, were also stopped and asked about their whereabouts. “I play kabaddi, and we are regular students. We don’t know what these checks are for, but they seem quite extensive,” he told TOI. In an Innova heading towards Dwarka, K D Sharma and his friends had a different response. Sharma said he understood why the checks were being conducted and had no plans to attend the protest. “However, I will abide by the restrictions,” he said. Buses coming from other states faced stricter scrutiny. Security personnel boarded them to check passengers and inspect luggage compartments. Traffic violations were recorded, and some of the vehicles were impounded, leaving passengers by the roadside to find alternative ways to reach their destinations. Hirender was among those whose journey was interrupted. His bus was stopped, and passengers were asked to get down. “I don’t know what these checks are for. We were supposed to get off at Dallupura, but the bus was stopped and checked. We were told to get down because some rules were violated. Now, I have to book an auto,” he said. Ashu, another such passenger, called up his friend Rahi, who arrived on a motorcycle to pick him up. The scrutiny was not confined to Chilla. Vehicles were also checked at Ghazipur border and Delhi-Noida Direct (DND) Flyway. At one point, a private car displaying a farmers’ union poster was stopped. The driver told police he had a medical emergency and needed to reach hospital quickly. He was made to call up his doctor and put him on the line for a conversation with cops. Only then was he allowed to proceed.