New Delhi: Delhi is preparing for a major protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on October 10, with security tightened across the capital.
The Centre has provided 221 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), comprising around 23,000 personnel, to assist Delhi Police. The protest is aimed at demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to The Indian Express, the deployment is among the largest central-force arrangements for a protest in the capital. The Ministry of Home Affairs has provided the forces for deployment between October 8 and 12. PTI reported that at least 15,000 Delhi Police personnel are also expected to be on the ground.
Delhi Police tracks protesters, checks bus bookings
Police have identified around 2,800 people through facial recognition technology who allegedly have criminal antecedents and attended the CJP’s July protest over the NEET-UG paper leak, officials told The Indian Express. Station house officers have been asked to monitor their movements ahead of October 10.
Police are also checking bus bookings and tracking operators who arranged transport during the earlier agitation. According to Hindustan Times, officers have been instructed to contact university and college authorities and paying guest accommodation owners to discourage students from joining the demonstration.
Security checks are expected at Delhi’s borders with Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Police are also preparing temporary detention facilities at stadiums in case protesters refuse to disperse. The Delhi government has ordered liquor shops to remain closed on October 9 and 10 to maintain public order.
Bodycams deployed as CJP refuses to back down
PTI reported that Delhi Police have deployed around 150 body-worn cameras to record interactions between officers and protesters. The move follows allegations of manhandling and sexual harassment made by three women journalists during a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 2. Police have denied the allegations.
The CJP has said it will proceed with the October 10 protest despite not receiving police permission. Co-convener Saurav Das defended the right to demonstrate, describing it as a constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right.
Meanwhile, AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged on X that students and volunteers linked to AAP and ASAP had been detained and taken to undisclosed locations. He also claimed that police and paramilitary personnel had reached AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar’s residence ahead of the protest.
The CJP held a preparatory protest in Bengaluru on Thursday, attended by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and actor Prakash Raj. Rathee has also appealed to people to join the Delhi demonstration.
