Security tightened near Ajit Singh's bungalow

Delhi Police Tuesday tightened security in central Delhi in view of expected protests over order to RLD leader Ajit Singh to vacate his official bungalow.

The Delhi Metro shut down the Race Course Metro station for public from 8.20 a.m.

"Section 144A (joining unlawful assembly) has been imposed outside his (Ajit Singh) residence.

All roads leading to his 12, Tughlak Road bungalow have been cordoned off," a police officer told IANS.

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) sources told IANS that party workers have planned to stage a demonstration outside his residence against the government's decision asking him to vacate the house.

At least 175 protesters were detained from different places while heading towards Ajit Singh's bungalow.

"All of them were taken to police stations at Parliament Street, Tilak Marg and Mandir Marg," Additional Commissioner of Police, S.B.S. Tyagi told IANS.

"The protesters were released after a few hours," said the official.

Some roads cordoned off include Aurangzeb Road, Prithviraj Road and Safdarjung Road.

"As advised by the police, Race Course Metro station has been closed for public from 8.20 a.m. till further directions," a Delhi Metro official said.

Tyagi told IANS: "Yes, we have asked the Delhi Metro to shut down the station. Let us see how the situation develops."

He added that adequate barricading has also been done in view of the protests.

Ajit Singh has demanded that the 12, Tughlak Road bungalow occupied by him be converted into a memorial dedicated to his father and former prime minister Charan Singh.

This led to clashes between police and the RLD and the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) workers Sep 19 that left about 200 farmers and policemen injured.

The farmers were demonstrating against cutting water and power supply to the Tughlak Road residence to force Ajit Singh to leave the government bungalow.

Ajit Singh lost the 2014 Lok Sabha elections held in April-May and is therefore not entitled to a government house.