Delhi Police has sealed and heavily barricaded key roads in central New Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s October 10 march demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with more than 37 blocking points planned across the New Delhi district.
Tolstoy Road, the Shangri-La roundabout and Ashoka Road—locations where the party’s July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march turned violent—have been placed under heightened security. The Tolstoy Road stretch has 10 barricades and is being guarded by more than 30 paramilitary personnel. A Rapid Action Force personnel told The Indian Express that the stretch has been sealed since October 2 and that entry is not being permitted.
The July 20 protest led to clashes across several central Delhi roads. Police used lathis, tear gas and water cannons after protesters attempted to move out of restricted areas. The disruption spread across Janpath, Raisina Road, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road and Feroze Shah Road, while Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma reached Janpath with a loudspeaker and urged protesters to leave the area.
Security measures have also been intensified at the Shangri-La roundabout. The road leading towards Parliament Street police station has been heavily barricaded, with traffic police allowing only one vehicle to pass at a time. Officers are checking every car, including vehicles with blue number plates. Police vans and additional barricades have been positioned to restrict entry near the roundabout.
The location had become a gathering point during the July 20 march as protesters moved there after police action elsewhere. The Indian Express reported that the area was filled by evening, with protesters allegedly throwing stones towards the hotel and security forces firing tear gas from the middle of the roundabout. Police vehicles were also vandalised at several points on Ashoka Road, including damage to the windshields and mirrors of vehicles used by assistant commissioners of police. Protesters also climbed onto police buses, according to the report.
Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar met senior officers at Police Headquarters on Thursday to finalise the security arrangements. Police decided not to grant permission for any dharna or protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, according to a senior officer quoted by The Indian Express. District heads were directed to establish special detention centres and prevent protesters from reaching the central protest locations by stopping them within their respective districts.
The preparations extend beyond road barricading. Police have checked hotels and guesthouses across the national capital and instructed them not to accept new visitors who appear to be arriving for the demonstration. Hotel and guesthouse operators were also asked to inform local police if they noticed anyone considered suspicious, the officer said.
The restrictions are expected to affect access and vehicle movement around Tolstoy Road, Ashoka Road, Janpath, Raisina Road, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road, Feroze Shah Road and the Shangri-La roundabout. The police strategy, as described by the report, is to prevent a concentration of protesters near central government and police facilities before the October 10 demonstration.
