New Delhi, Oct 10 (V7N)- Indian authorities have tightened security across central Delhi as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) presses ahead with a planned protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police denied permission for the Saturday demonstration, citing a short-notice application, previous alleged violations of protest conditions and concerns over public safety and law and order.
Authorities have deployed thousands of police and paramilitary personnel and erected multiple barricades around Jantar Mantar and other sensitive locations. Reports put the planned deployment at around 25,000 personnel, alongside enhanced surveillance and security checks.
The security measures have also affected public transport. Entry and exit restrictions have been imposed at dozens of Delhi Metro stations, while several train services have been cancelled or modified. Mobile internet services have been suspended within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing for 24 hours, beginning at 10 pm on Friday.
Despite the restrictions, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had maintained that the protest would go ahead. The party is seeking Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls, a process that has sparked protests and political disputes.
However, Reuters reported on Saturday that police had detained several protesters and movement leaders, including key CJP figures, as authorities moved to prevent the rally from proceeding as planned.
The dispute comes amid broader political tensions over the revision of voter lists. Opposition groups have alleged that the process could unfairly exclude eligible voters, while the authorities’ restrictions on the protest have added to concerns about freedom of assembly and access to public spaces.
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