Delhi police have imposed extensive security restrictions across the New Delhi district ahead of a proposed youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday against alleged irregularities in the ongoing special intensive revision of voter rolls, with more than 50,000 security personnel deployed across the city.
Barricades have been placed around Jantar Mantar and at several stretches leading towards the protest venue. Police have also increased security at nearby metro stations, including Janpath and Patel Chowk, and installed additional CCTV cameras across New Delhi.
The deployment includes personnel from the Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces, including the Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Security has also been intensified at public transit hubs, border entry points and other sensitive locations in central Delhi, a senior police officer told The Hindu.
The police have established holding facilities in all 15 districts to accommodate protesters detained while travelling towards Jantar Mantar. Facilities including Chhatrasal Stadium are expected to be used for this purpose, according to the officer. The arrangement represents a decentralised deployment strategy, with police personnel instructed to intercept protesters within their respective jurisdictions rather than allow large groups to gather at common points in central Delhi.
A large number of women police personnel from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have also been deployed to handle women protesters, sources said. At Jantar Mantar, barricades have been placed on all sides and chains have been strung across them.
The restrictions have extended beyond the protest site. Police personnel visited mosques during the day and announced that prohibitory orders were in force in New Delhi under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. They 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 that no such directions had been issued to local staff by supervisory officers and that the matter was being examined.
DCP (North East) Rahool Alwal said the police were expecting heavy footfall in market areas because the festive season was under way and Saturday was a weekend. He said the police were coordinating traffic and were in touch with the Uttar Pradesh Police to monitor movement across the border.
Based on the police recommendation, commercial establishments in Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh have decided to remain closed on Saturday, Mr. Alwal said. The decision is expected to affect retail activity and movement in some of the capital’s busiest commercial districts.
Several schools and colleges have also altered their schedules. Parent-teacher meetings have been rescheduled, examinations postponed and classes planned for Saturday shifted online, according to the report.
The security arrangements are expected to remain focused on preventing protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar while managing traffic and public movement across central Delhi. Authorities have not announced any change to the proposed protest venue or the restrictions in force for Saturday.
