Delhi Police is preparing for large weekend protests in Central Delhi, with 221 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, or around 23,000 personnel, being made available to assist with crowd control, security and law-and-order duties. The deployment is in place from October 8 to 12 as authorities anticipate that more than 50,000 people, including protesters from adjoining states, could gather in the Capital.
The security measures follow an announcement by Opposition parties that their protests will continue until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns. The Cockroach Janta Party and the All India Students’ Association have jointly called for a sit-in at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10, with several Opposition parties expected to participate. Delhi Police has not granted permission for the protest, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
According to officers quoted by The Indian Express, the additional forces are intended to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar and other sensitive areas of Central Delhi, while also securing key government buildings. The deployment is among the largest Central force arrangements for law-and-order duties during a protest in the Capital since the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, officers said.
Central Reserve Police Force companies are being brought in from Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. An additional 450 to 500 women paramilitary personnel will also be deployed, taking the total Central force strength assigned to the operation to around 26,000, alongside women personnel of the Delhi Police.
A police officer said women had formed a significant part of earlier protests and recent demonstrations, prompting authorities to prepare for a larger number of women participants on October 10. The New Delhi district, where Jantar Mantar is located, currently has about 5,000 Delhi Police personnel deployed. Officers said that number could increase to 15,000 if required.
Multi-layered barricades are being installed on roads leading to Jantar Mantar and Parliament. Prohibitory orders have also been imposed at Rajghat. Police are monitoring Delhi’s border points and looking for large groups attempting to enter the city before Saturday.
The administration has also asked for measures outside the immediate protest zone. In a letter to the government, police requested that the Excise Department direct liquor vendors to keep their shops closed on Friday and Saturday, citing the possibility of law-and-order problems. Police are also planning to inform students that any assembly in the New Delhi district area on October 10 would be unlawful. The additional forces and access restrictions will remain in place through October 12, according to the deployment plan reported by The Indian Express.
