Chaos prevailed at the first ’janta darbar’ organised by the AAP government outside the Delhi Secretariat today, forcing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to leave the venue mid-way as thousands gathered to register their grievances.
A huge crowd thronged the venue where the Chief Minister and his entire Cabinet sat to resolve the problems of the people.
Delhi Police and Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel had a tough time managing the crowd as barricades at some places were broken down by the people.
The swelling crowd at the meet forced Mr. Kejriwal to leave the meeting half way through.
“We had not even imagined that so many people will turn out today. It was becoming difficult to manage them…If I had not left the venue, there was a possibility of a stampede,” Mr. Kejriwal told reporters.
Police estimated that 50,000 people had gathered in front of the secretariat. The crowd mostly comprised contractual workers from various government departments like DTC, power company BSES, different government hospitals, municipal corporations, among others demanding permanent status.
Sunita Kapoor from Mandawali in east Delhi reached the secretariat at 6 a.m. for the meeting that was to start at 9:30 a.m.. She met Mr. Kejriwal and complained about unauthorised occupation of her flat.
“I have been assured by the Chief Minister that I will be helped in the matter,” she said.
The complainants, who me the Chief Minister or the Cabinet ministers, were issued a receipt about their complaints.
Officials of various government departments as well as of DDA, municipal corporations and police were also present at the meeting.
