Delhi police have deployed more than 50,000 personnel and imposed extensive security restrictions in central New Delhi ahead of a proposed youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar against alleged irregularities in the ongoing special intensive revision of voter rolls. Barricades have been installed across several routes, metro stations near the protest venue have been placed under enhanced surveillance, and holding facilities have been arranged in all 15 districts.
The New Delhi district was placed under a security lockdown on Friday, a day before the proposed protest. Police have barricaded Jantar Mantar on all sides and strung chains across the barriers. Additional CCTV cameras have been installed across New Delhi, while security has been increased at nearby metro stations, including Janpath and Patel Chowk.
A senior police officer told The Hindu that facilities such as Chhatrasal Stadium would be used to house protesters detained while travelling towards Jantar Mantar. The arrangements represent a decentralised deployment plan under which police personnel have been instructed to intercept protesters within their respective jurisdictions instead of concentrating forces at common locations in central Delhi.
The deployment includes Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces, including the Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Police personnel have been positioned at public transport hubs, border entry points and sensitive locations in central Delhi. Sources also said that women police personnel from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh had been deployed to handle women protesters.
During the day, police personnel visited mosques and announced that prohibitory orders were in force in New Delhi under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. They also warned that participation in Saturday’s protest could lead to the registration of first information reports. A video purportedly recorded at Baghwali Masjid in Chandni Chowk showed a policeman asking people not to attend the protest.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Niharika Bhatt said, “No such directions have been given to the local staff by supervisory officers. We are looking into the matter.” The statement leaves the circumstances surrounding the mosque visit under inquiry, while the wider restrictions remain in place for the proposed demonstration.
DCP (North East) Rahool Alwal said the police expected heavy footfall in market areas because the festive season was under way and Saturday was a weekend. He said the Delhi Police was coordinating with the Uttar Pradesh Police to monitor traffic movement. Based on the police’s recommendation, commercial establishments in Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh decided to close on Saturday.
The security measures have also affected educational schedules. Several schools and colleges rescheduled parent-teacher meetings, postponed examinations or shifted classes planned for Saturday online. The restrictions are therefore expected to affect not only protesters travelling to Jantar Mantar but also commuters, shoppers, students, businesses and residents moving through central Delhi.
The police arrangements and closures are scheduled to remain relevant through Saturday, when the proposed protest is due to take place. Authorities have not indicated in the supplied report when the barricades, enhanced metro security and other restrictions will be withdrawn.
