Jantar Mantar finally cleared of protestors after NGT order

New Delhi, Oct 30: The agitators at Jantar Mantar were finally asked to vacate the premises, their tents and other makeshift arrangements dismantled, following the National Green Tribunal's directive to ban protests at the site. The NDMC and Delhi police officials present on the spot told UNI, 'The area has been cleared finally as the remaining protestors have moved out and the road will be open for public and normal traffic to ply as soon as the cleaning and maintenance work is done.' However, the protestors, including the retired armed forces personnel, who staged demonstration for implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP), alleged that police ruffled their elderly supporters and forced them out of the area, while the female members of their group were also roughly treated and taken away from the premises. Retired Major General Satbir Singh, who led the OROP protest, alleged that this was an attempt to throttle their voices, as their stage was attacked and they were forcefully moved before being given a different place. He said the alternative place advised by the court was not suitable for them as the MCD charges Rs 50,000 per day for the venue. 'Why are we asked to pay money for voicing our genuine concerns?' he added. In its October 5, 2017 notification, the Green Tribunal had suggested the protestors to move to Ramlila Maidan. The verdict had come on a plea filed by locals, alleging that processions and agitations held at the Jantar Mantar. Road were a major source of noise pollution in the area, while the green court had ordered the NDMC Chairman, the Police Chief and the Delhi government to file compliance reports under five weeks from October 5. UNI