NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the nation on Monday morning and appealed for calm as people continued with protests against the brutal gang rape of a 23-year-old woman in the national capital.
In a televised address, Prime Minister assured that "all possible efforts" would be taken to ensure security and safety of women in the country.
"As a father of three daughters I feel as strongly about the incident as any other," the PM said justifying the sense of anger over the rape incident.
"We will ensure justice is delivered in the case," Manmohan Singh said.
"I appeal to all concerned citizens to maintain peace and calm," he said adding that the government will keep the nation informed about all the steps being taken in the case.
Condemning violence, the PM said, "While anger against the incident is justified, violence will serve no purpose."
Police clampdown:
A day after violent protests against the gang rape incident, the government on Monday morning closed traffic to India Gate, the venue of Sunday violence.
Police have cordoned off all the roads leading to India Gate and are not allowing the protesters to gather.
Chaos at Metro stations:
Meanwhile, chaos ruled outside Metro stations in Central Delhi on Monday morning as hundreds of people reached the stations unaware that they have been closed due to continuing protests at India Gate against the gang-rape of a young girl.
Nine stations, including the busiest Rajiv Chowk, was closed from early morning as people came only to be welcomed by boards that entry or exit to the stations will not be allowed today as per instructions from Delhi Police.
Rajiv Chowk sees the maximum footfall of over 5 lakh a day and shutting down of this station has caused much problems for people who were agitated and looked helpless.
Pragati Maidan, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Race Course and Khan Market will remain closed till further orders, according to an advisory issued late last night by the Delhi Metro.
Eight stations, except Rajiv Chowk, remained closed on Sunday as well but there was not much impact as it was a holiday.
Though inter-change was allowed at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat stations, it was not of much help to the people as stations nearby were also closed.
Radhika, a software professional who works at Parliament Street, said she was unaware that all stations near her office were closed today. She was shocked when the train did not stop at three stations continuously and heaved a sigh of relief when it stopped at Rajiv Chowk.
"But I was not allowed to exit from the station. I am stuck inside now. I don't know how to reach my office though it is less than a km from here," she said.
She was not alone, there were several hundreds of passengers who got stranded at the stations.
The stations will remain closed till further orders due to protests at India Gate. The stations have been closed to prevent people from reaching India Gate and other protest sites.
(With inputs from PTI)fter violent protests against the gang rape incident, the government on Monday morning closed traffic to India Gate, the venue of Sunday violence.
Police have cordoned off all the roads leading to India Gate and are not allowing the protesters to gather.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who justified public anger over the issue and appealed for calm on Sunday, is likely to address the nation at noon, according to TV reports.
On Sunday the Prime Minister assured that "all possible efforts" would be taken to ensure security and safety of women in the country.
"I appeal to all concerned citizens to maintain peace and calm," he said, according to a tweet by the Prime Minister's Office.
(With inputs from PTI)
Delhi gang rape: PM addresses nation, appeals for calm
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