Delhi BJP chief, party MLAs detained during protest against AAP govt

Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta and his party’s MLAs were detained for alleged violation of lockdown norms on Sunday (June 7) after they gathered at Rajghat to protest against the AAP government over “deteriorating” healthcare services in the city.

Gupta, along with 14 others, was detained for organising the protest in violation of the lockdown norms, a senior police officer said.

The detained BJP leaders were taken to Rajender Nagar police station and released later.

Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Ramvir Bidhuri said the BJP will continue to protest against the AAP government over alleged deteriorating healthcare services in the national capital.

“The Delhi BJP president was detained by the Delhi Police at Rajghat during a protest against the Kejriwal government for collapse of health services in Delhi,” a statement by the party said.

Related news: Delhi borders to be reopened from June 8, says Kejriwal

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the hospitals run by the Delhi government and private entities will only treat Delhiites during the coronavirus crisis while the citys borders will be reopened from Monday.

Addressing an online media briefing, Kejriwal said hospitals run by the Centre will have no such restriction, and if people from other states come to the national capital for specific surgeries, they can get medical treatment at private hospitals.

The announcement comes a day after a five-member panel constituted by the AAP government suggested that the health infrastructure of the city should be used only for treating Delhiites in view of the raging COVID-19 crisis.

“Over 90 per cent people want Delhi hospitals to treat patients from the national capital during the coronavirus pandemic. “Hence, it has been decided that government and private hospitals in Delhi will only treat patients from the national capital,” Kejriwal said.

(With inputs from agencies)