Delhi Police has prepared a multi-layered security plan for the Cockroach Janata Party’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, deploying around 600 low-floor buses, body-worn cameras and senior officers across 23 zones to prevent an unauthorised gathering in central Delhi.
The plan has been drawn up after the CJP insisted on proceeding with the demonstration despite being denied permission, according to a report by The Indian Express. Police officials said the focus would be on preventing protesters from converging on Lutyens’ Delhi and other sensitive locations while exercising maximum restraint during crowd management.
The New Delhi district, where Jantar Mantar is located, will be at the centre of the security arrangement. Around 22 officers of Deputy Commissioner of Police rank are being deployed to supervise key locations and respond to emerging situations. A substantial number of women police personnel will also be positioned for crowd-management duties.
The low-floor buses will be kept alongside police personnel and reserve forces at pickets. Their lower boarding height is expected to help officers move detained protesters from pickets and other locations during the operation. Delhi Police has identified about 30 temporary detention facilities, including police stations, police buildings and sports complexes in Dwarka, Bawana, Kanjhawala, Narela and parts of East Delhi.
The listed facilities include Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex, Chhatrasal Stadium and Yamuna Sports Complex. Police officials said these centres would accommodate detainees during the security operation. Police teams are also taking preventive action against people suspected of mobilising protesters or arranging logistical support for the demonstration.
Body-worn cameras will be used at identified flashpoints and pickets to record interactions between police personnel and protesters. Officers said the footage would create a record of enforcement during the operation and support accountability in the handling of crowds. Delhi Police has recently procured additional body-worn cameras for its personnel.
Central and South districts have prepared deployment plans for strategic locations because of their proximity to New Delhi district. These include Flag Point on Mahatma Gandhi Marg, A Point, the base of R S Flyover, Minto Bridge red light, Chitragupt Road, Chelmsford Road, Rani Jhansi Road, Hanuman Mandir near the Hanuman statue and Shanker Road.
Inspectors, platoons and male and female personnel will be deployed in shifts, with additional forces available for reinforcement. Inter-district pickets are also being established between Central and New Delhi districts, as well as at connecting points involving South, South-East and South-West districts.
Police are paying particular attention to routes from South Delhi, including Lodhi Road, Africa Avenue, Mathura Road and Ashoka Road. Officers said personnel at checking points would verify the purpose of travel and allow entry into restricted areas only to people with valid reasons, subject to applicable restrictions.
The arrangements will remain focused on the proposed protest and the movement of people towards sensitive areas of central Delhi. Police officials said the deployment, checking points, reserve forces and detention facilities had been planned to sustain security coverage during the day and night.
