Delhi Police detained more than 3,000 people across the national capital on Saturday as they attempted to reach Jantar Mantar for a proposed demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police said the protest had not been granted permission and that prohibitory orders were in force in the New Delhi area.
The detentions took place in several parts of the city, including near Regal Cinema, Minto Bridge and Akashwani Bhawan, according to police sources cited in the report. Police also deployed drones to monitor movements of people travelling towards the proposed protest site and increased personnel at strategic locations along routes leading to Jantar Mantar.
More than 600 people with criminal records were also detained across Delhi as part of preventive action, police sources said. The measure was intended to prevent people with criminal backgrounds from creating a law-and-order situation during the proposed demonstration. Police were also monitoring individuals suspected of mobilising crowds or influencing participation, including outside some residences, the sources said.
Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Devesh Srivastava said elaborate security arrangements had been made across the city. He said areas bordering neighbouring states had been picketed in coordination with police forces in those states, while senior officers and community policing teams had been deployed.
“We have made elaborate security arrangements today and areas neighbouring bordering states have been picketed in coordination with neighbouring police force. Senior officers have been deployed. Along with that we are getting cooperation from citizens and our community policing teams like Aman Committee are working,” Srivastava told PTI.
He appealed to citizens not to participate in the protest and said people travelling to Jantar Mantar were being detained because permission had not been granted. “The situation is under control. People who are going to Jantar Mantar are being detained as we had already said that no permission for such protest is granted,” he said.
The proposed demonstration was called over allegations by the CJP relating to voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and changes involving Form 6, which is used for voter registration. The report did not provide details of any independent findings on those allegations.
The police operation has affected movement around central Delhi, particularly near the protest site and locations connected to routes leading to it. Security personnel were deployed at other sensitive locations to prevent an unauthorised gathering and maintain public order, while police appealed to residents to comply with the restrictions.
Authorities said the arrangements would remain focused on preventing disruption and monitoring possible mobilisation efforts around the proposed demonstration. Further police action will depend on compliance with the restrictions and developments at Jantar Mantar.
