News desk: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has written to police chiefs across the country, seeking intelligence sharing and coordination with Delhi Police ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) planned protest march in the national capital on October 10.
In his letter, sent on Friday, Mohan said the organisation had been denied permission to hold the demonstration. However, he cited intelligence inputs suggesting that CJP members and their supporters might attempt to enter Delhi from different states and Union territories despite the restrictions.
According to the letter, the authorities had received information that the organisation and its supporting groups intended to disobey official orders and enter the capital without authorisation, potentially creating law-and-order concerns.
Mohan called for coordination among state and Union territory police forces to help Delhi Police monitor the situation and respond to any possible security challenges ahead of the planned march.
Why was permission denied?
Delhi Police had refused permission for the proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar, citing concerns over public safety and the organisation's alleged record of non-compliance with police directions during previous events.
In his letter, the home secretary referred to what he described as a documented history of the CJP and its supporters failing to comply with lawful instructions during earlier demonstrations. He alleged that previous incidents had resulted in damage to public property and disturbances to law and order in Delhi.
The claims form part of the authorities' stated reasons for seeking additional coordination ahead of the October 10 protest.
Delhi Police cites previous protest
Delhi Police Joint Commissioner Nupur Prasad said at a press conference on Friday that permission had been denied because the organisation allegedly violated the conditions imposed during a similar protest held around two months earlier.
Prasad also said the CJP had applied for permission only a few days before the proposed demonstration. According to police rules cited by the officer, organisers are required to submit applications at least 10 days in advance to allow sufficient time for security arrangements and administrative preparations.
The police have maintained that advance notice is necessary to assess potential risks, deploy personnel and manage traffic around the proposed protest venue.
Security preparations intensified
The request for intelligence sharing comes amid heightened security arrangements across Delhi ahead of the planned demonstration. Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers around Jantar Mantar, while barricades and road restrictions have been put in place in several areas.
The CJP protest is linked to opposition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The organisation has raised concerns about the alleged deletion of voters' names and the protection of voting rights.
With permission denied, authorities are preparing for the possibility of supporters travelling to Delhi despite restrictions. The situation has also triggered debate over protest rights, public safety and the management of demonstrations in the capital.
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