Mumbai Police have deployed around 500 personnel at Azad Maidan ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s Tiranga rally and multiple demonstrations expected to draw a large evening crowd, while traffic movement in South Mumbai remains normal.
The police deployment is intended to maintain law and order as several groups gather at the same venue. The demonstrations include a protest seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a CJP demonstration demanding justice for the detention of Saurav Das and Aushtosh Ranka, and a protest seeking justice in connection with the death of IIT student Sahil Wakode.
A police official said the personnel had been deployed to manage the gathering and ensure that the demonstrations proceed peacefully. The official added that the protests would be held within the designated boundaries of Azad Maidan, meaning no traffic routes had been diverted as of the time of the report.
“ We have deployed around 500 police personnel to maintain the law and order situation. As the protests will be held inside the maidan, no traffic routes have been diverted, and traffic movement remains normal,” the police official said.
The CJP has permission to hold its protest at Azad Maidan. However, the police presence has been increased because multiple groups are expected to assemble at the same location and the crowd could swell during the evening hours. Officers are also tasked with maintaining security inside the protest site and ensuring that public movement around the maidan is not disrupted.
The protests are taking place against the backdrop of separate demands and grievances. One demonstration is focused on the Chief Election Commissioner, while the CJP’s protest includes a demand for justice for Saurav Das and Aushtosh Ranka. Another demand relates to the death of Sahil Wakode, an IIT student who died by suicide after allegedly being caught using a mobile phone during an examination, according to the report.
South Mumbai traffic has remained unaffected so far, with no special diversions announced for motorists. Police officials said their priority was to allow the permitted protests to take place while keeping surrounding roads open and maintaining public order.
Officials have not announced any traffic diversion or additional route restrictions. The police deployment and crowd-management arrangements will remain focused on Azad Maidan and its immediate surroundings as the demonstrations take place.
