Delhi Police has imposed wide-ranging security and mobility restrictions ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party-AISA protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 10, including the planned closure of all metro stations from 9 pm on October 9 until the situation normalises.
The police has not granted permission for the protest, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The two groups have jointly called the demonstration, which is expected to draw participants from outside Delhi and may be joined by several Opposition parties.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has made 221 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, comprising around 23,000 personnel, available to Delhi Police between October 8 and 12. Five all-women paramilitary companies will also be deployed. The CRPF companies are being brought in from Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, according to officers cited by the Indian Express.
Delhi Police is preparing around 10 detention centres across districts for people detained during the protest. Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Bawana and Chhatrasal Stadium are among the facilities being readied, with additional centres planned in Narela, East Delhi and Northwest Delhi.
Police will maintain heightened checks at Delhi’s entry points. Officers said people suspected of attempting to mobilise crowds could be stopped and detained at the borders. Railway authorities have also been contacted to regulate train movement into Delhi for a specified period, based on inputs about possible mobilisation from outside the capital.
Road access to the New Delhi district is expected to face restrictions as the area is turned into a heavily secured zone. Police are coordinating with app-based taxi operators, including Ola and Uber, to regulate movement towards Lutyens’ Delhi and sensitise cab operators about restrictions on roads leading into the New Delhi district.
Hotels, guest houses and other accommodation facilities in and around Central Delhi have been asked to remain shut or restrict fresh bookings for a specified period. Police officers said hotel owners in Paharganj had been briefed against accepting new bookings, with similar briefings held in parts of South and North Delhi.
The Delhi government has ordered liquor shops across the city to remain closed on October 9 and 10. The Excise department said the preventive measure was based on Delhi Police inputs and was intended to maintain public order.
The metro shutdown is expected to have a broad effect on weekend movement across the capital. During a CJP-led protest on July 20, around 16 metro stations were closed. This time, officers said all stations would be shut from 9 pm on October 9 until the situation normalises.
Police officers have also indicated that internet restrictions could be imposed in areas where detainees are housed to prevent further mobilisation. Similar restrictions could extend to parts of New Delhi and Central Delhi depending on the security situation.
People recording or livestreaming the protest, including YouTubers and mobile journalists, could face action if they obstruct police operations, violate restrictions or contribute to unlawful mobilisation. Police said such people would not automatically be treated as protesters. Media organisations have been asked to ensure that journalists carry and prominently display valid press identification cards at barricades and other sensitive locations.
