New Delhi: A large number of Afghan citizens protesting in front of the office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) have been removed, the Delhi government informed the Delhi High Court following which the court disposed of a petition in this connection.
On September 3 last, the High Court had directed the Delhi government to take a decision within two days on shifting the protesting Afghan citizens to another place. The court had said that if the Delhi government did not take a decision, it will issue an order.
Earlier, on September 1, the court had expressed concern over the gathering in front of the UNHCR office. The court had said that there was a risk of coronavirus spreading due to such a crowd. It had issued notices to the Centre, the Delhi government, Delhi Police and municipal corporation.
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The court had asked the Delhi government what steps have been taken to regulate processions and demonstrations by people. The court wanted to know whether guidelines have been prepared according to the decision given by the Supreme Court on Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan vs. Government of India. In that case, the Supreme Court had given permission for peaceful demonstrations. The apex court had directed the Delhi Police to prepare guidelines in this regard. The High Court then asked the Delhi government to explain the reason if no guidelines have been framed to regulate sit-in demonstrations.
This petition was filed by the Vasant Vihar Welfare Association in the Delhi High Court. It stated that a large number of Afghan citizens are gathering in front of the UNHCR office located in B Block of Vasant Vihar and seeking asylum. Afghans were also gathering in public parks and areas there. Due to the gathering of so many people, the petition there was a risk of the coronavirus spreading . The petition demanded that guidelines should be issued to remove these Afghan citizens.
