Delhi Police has asked the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to extend the deployment of 273 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces in the capital until October 20, citing the possibility of protests at several sensitive locations, according to sources cited by Millennium Post.
The deployment was scheduled to end on Monday. In its communication to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi Police requested that the security presence be continued to maintain law and order and respond to any potential situation, the report said.
A total of 301 CAPF companies had been approved for deployment in Delhi. Of these, 221 companies were cleared on October 6 and another 80 on October 8, according to the sources cited in the report. However, 28 of the additional 80 companies had not reported to Delhi Police as of Monday.
The police have identified Jantar Mantar, the Election Commission, Parliament House and India Gate among the locations where demonstrations could take place. The concerns also include possible protests by the Bhim Army, student organisations and other political groups, in addition to demonstrations linked to the Cockroach Janta Party and other organisations.
The request comes after protests in Delhi over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Demonstrations have been held against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with protests reported in different parts of the capital over the issue.
The heightened security arrangements have already affected movement through the city. Over the weekend, large numbers of security personnel were deployed across the capital, 45 metro stations were closed and checks were intensified at Delhi’s border points. Thousands of protesters, including leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party and former chief ministers, were detained, according to the report.
The proposed extension would keep the additional central forces available to Delhi Police through October 20. The final decision rests with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which had approved the earlier deployment in two stages. The police request is based on its assessment of potential demonstrations at sensitive public and government locations.
