New Delhi, Oct 10 (V7N)- Delhi Police have detained hundreds of people in the Indian capital ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against the Election Commission of India, as authorities imposed extensive security measures to prevent disturbances.
According to news agency Asian News International (ANI), officials said around 500 people who arrived from different areas to participate in Saturday's protest were detained. At least 50 of them reportedly had criminal records, and police said they were taken into custody as a precaution to maintain public order.
To manage the security situation, authorities divided New Delhi district into 20 administrative zones. Separate detention facilities were arranged for each zone, while several stadiums and community centres were designated as temporary holding centres to accommodate detainees.
Police erected barricades and established security cordons around key areas, particularly Jantar Mantar and Sansad Marg, where protesters were expected to gather. Security checks were also intensified at entry points to Delhi.
Authorities additionally closed 46 metro stations as part of measures to prevent possible unrest, according to the report.
Police said the heightened precautions were intended to prevent a recurrence of disturbances during previous protests on July 20. Officers were reportedly instructed to exercise restraint and avoid verbal confrontations with protesters, amid concerns that incidents could be recorded and circulated on social media.
Six locations were initially identified as temporary detention centres: Chhatrasal Stadium, Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Yamuna Sports Complex, Surajmal Stadium, Daulatpur Community Centre and Pandarawal Community Centre.
The security operation comes amid growing tensions surrounding the CJP's planned demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations related to electoral-roll revisions. The Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party have denied the allegations.
END/SMA/AJ
