Delhi Police has prepared an extensive security plan for the October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar, including 37 blocking points in the New Delhi district, detention centres in all 15 districts and instructions to stop protesters within their own jurisdictions, The Indian Express reported.
The arrangements have been drawn up for a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and several other organisations. Police officials said the deployment is intended to keep the agitation peaceful and maintain law and order, while the New Delhi district remains under heightened security cover.
Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar met senior officers at police headquarters on Thursday to finalise the strategy. According to a senior officer quoted by The Indian Express, police decided not to grant permission for any dharna or protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. District heads were directed to establish special detention centres and prevent protesters from travelling to the protest site from within their jurisdictions.
The police have also checked hotels and guesthouses across the capital and instructed them not to accept new visitors who appear to be arriving for the protest. The establishments have been asked to inform local police if they notice anyone considered suspicious, the report said.
The approach marks a reversal from the arrangements made during the CJP agitation in July. During that protest, district police were instructed to guide students and other people travelling to Jantar Mantar to join the agitation. For the October 10 protest, districts have instead been ordered to increase patrolling, stop people travelling to the site and send those who refuse to turn back to detention centres immediately, according to the report.
Police have assigned specific assembly points to districts, units and battalions before deployment in the New Delhi district. Personnel have been instructed to report at 11 am for briefing and deployment. The list includes points near Barakhamba Road, the Election Commission of India, Safdarjung Road, Parliament Street police station, India Gate, Janpath Metro station, Gol Dak Khana and Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.
The Crime Branch and the first and second battalions of the Delhi Armed Police will report near Transport Bhawan. The Economic Offences Wing and the Special Police Unit for Women and Children will assemble near Parliament Street police station. Other units, including the Delhi Police Academy, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, the Special Cell and several armed police battalions, have also been assigned separate reporting locations.
A senior officer told The Indian Express that police had identified two shortcomings during the July agitation: an inadequate assessment of the number of protesters and the deployment of multiple units and districts at the same location. The new plan assigns one specific blocking point to one district or unit, with liaison officers responsible for ensuring that personnel report to the designated deployment officer.
Police have also decided to stop senior protest leaders. The report said women police personnel will be positioned in front and male personnel behind them. Women officers will carry small body-worn devices, according to a source cited by The Indian Express. All district, unit and battalion heads have been directed to nominate staff, ensure punctual attendance and comply with the deployment plan.
