Delhi Police have intensified security across the city ahead of a protest planned at Jantar Mantar on October 10, with a police officer visiting a mosque in Old Delhi to urge residents not to join what the department described as an unnecessary or unauthorised gathering, Live Hindustan – NCR reported.
The protest has been called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. According to the report, CJP has described the proposed gathering as a peaceful demonstration. The police have said that permission has not been granted for a protest at Jantar Mantar and have appealed to people to avoid joining any unauthorised assembly.
During the mosque visit, the police officer read a message issued by the department over a microphone. Residents were asked not to participate in the demonstration themselves or allow their children to take part. The officer also appealed to families to advise friends and relatives not to become part of crowds without a clear reason, saying that the police and administration were carrying out their duties and that people should avoid the risk of harm.
The message also asked residents not to believe or spread rumours and not to respond to inflammatory messages or provocation. The officer urged people to act as responsible citizens, follow the law and cooperate with the police and administration in maintaining security in their local areas.
The security response is expected to include the deployment of around 11,000 additional personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces in Delhi over the next few days, according to the report. The heightened deployment comes as authorities prepare for possible movement towards central Delhi and the area around Jantar Mantar, a designated site for demonstrations that is also close to important government and parliamentary institutions.
The report said CJP co-convener Saurav Das had visited Parliament Street police station on Wednesday and submitted formal information regarding the October 10 demonstration. The submission of information by an organiser does not amount to permission, and Delhi Police have maintained that no authorisation has been issued for the gathering at Jantar Mantar.
The report also said that young people travelling from different cities to attend the proposed protest were being detained, although it did not provide details about the number of people detained, the locations of the detentions or the legal provisions being applied. Delhi Police have advised residents to avoid unauthorised gatherings and follow official instructions as security arrangements remain in force.
