New Delhi: Delhi Police have intensified security arrangements across the national capital ahead of the proposed protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on October 10, with authorities closely monitoring mobilisation, transport movement and possible arrivals from neighbouring states.
The CJP has announced the protest to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party and several student organisations have submitted an intimation to the Delhi Police regarding the proposed demonstration. However, police have so far not granted permission for the October 10 protest.
Security preparations have been expanded considerably in central Delhi. According to officials, around 23,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel are being deployed in the capital for the protest period. The Ministry of Home Affairs has made 221 CAPF companies available between October 8 and 12 to assist Delhi Police with security and law-and-order arrangements.
Delhi Police are also keeping a close watch on possible mobilisation from outside the capital. Officers have been directed to monitor bus operators, bookings and routes to determine whether organised groups are travelling towards the New Delhi district. Police are particularly watching entry points from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and have planned additional barricading and surveillance at several locations.
Authorities are also reaching out to universities, colleges and paying guest accommodation providers in areas with large student populations. Police have asked educational institutions and PG owners to advise students against joining the proposed demonstration. Additional women personnel are also being deployed as officials prepare for the possibility of a sizeable turnout.
The police have further identified people with criminal antecedents who participated in earlier CJP demonstrations. According to The Indian Express, facial-recognition footage from the July protests was used to flag 2,873 individuals with criminal records, including people accused in serious offences. Local police stations have been asked to monitor whether such individuals are travelling to Delhi for the October 10 gathering.
The heightened security comes after several protests around Jantar Mantar and central Delhi in recent days. Barricades have been installed at sensitive locations, while police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed along routes leading towards Parliament and other important government areas.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police have reiterated that demonstrations at Jantar Mantar require prior permission and are subject to restrictions on the size of gatherings. Under existing guidelines, applications are generally required well in advance and the designated venue has a prescribed limit on the number of participants.
With the October 10 protest approaching, authorities are maintaining heightened surveillance across Delhi while preparing for possible crowd movement and traffic disruptions.
Reader Comments 0