Delhi Police have deployed more than 6,000 personnel, 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and an expanded CCTV network across Connaught Place and adjoining areas ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march on Friday evening.
The march is scheduled for 5 pm at Central Park in Connaught Place, but Delhi Police said permission had not been granted for the event. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita are already in force in Connaught Place and surrounding areas.
The security plan covers Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby Metro stations and other sensitive locations in Lutyens’ Delhi. Barricades have been placed at several points, including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, ITO and Sansad Marg, while personnel from other Delhi districts have been mobilised to manage access points and prevent disruption to commuters and commercial activity.
A senior police officer said 5,000 additional personnel had been kept in reserve. The deployment also includes 220 CAPF companies earmarked for New Delhi, with the forces expected to cover adjoining districts, border areas and other important locations. Thirty CAPF companies will be deployed in each shift, with three shifts planned through the day. Police said the strength could be increased to 60 companies in one shift if crowds expand during the night or the gathering continues.
Surveillance has been increased around Central Park and Rajiv Chowk, where more than 10 CCTV cameras have been installed. Police said Central Park had previously had few cameras and that the new network would help monitor the gathering and preserve footage in the event of a violation or untoward incident.
The New Delhi Municipal Council has announced that Central Park will remain closed to the public on Friday and Saturday for “administrative reasons”. The civic body has also requested adequate arrangements to prevent unauthorised entry during the closure.
Delhi Police PRO Neha Yadav said the police could facilitate a select group of people to wave the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable alternative location. “We are ready to grant permission to a select few protesters for a flag march at some other spot,” Yadav said, adding that any such arrangement would have to be made at a suitable location.
The proposed march follows a stand-off between the CJP and Delhi Police over demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It was called after CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to judicial custody for entering Jantar Mantar on October 13. Student organisations, activists and Aam Aadmi Party supporters are also expected to join the demonstration.
Police said officers were assessing the possibility of crowds spilling into adjoining market stretches. Market and trade associations in and around Connaught Place have submitted written requests seeking protection for their establishments, citing concerns that large gatherings were affecting business.
The police have appealed to people to stay away from unauthorised gatherings and warned that action would be taken against those violating prohibitory orders or disturbing public peace. Officers said the deployment and movement plan would be adjusted according to crowd levels and the situation through the day.
