Delhi Police has stepped up security arrangements at Jantar Mantar after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) warned that it would restart its protest if all FIRs filed against demonstrators are not withdrawn
immediately.
Authorities have deployed additional personnel and reinforced barricades at the protest site. At Jantar Mantar, where the CJP held a 36-day agitation demanding the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, barricades on both sides have been welded together with iron. A company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), along with local police personnel, has also been stationed at the site round the clock, officials said.
Police sources said the enhanced security measures were put in place in anticipation of a possible gathering at Jantar Mantar.
The warning from the CJP came on Tuesday, when the organisation accused the Centre of failing to honour its assurance that no legal action would be taken against protesters.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka alleged a “complete breach” of the July 25 understanding with the Centre and claimed that hundreds of students had been arrested in BJP-ruled states.
He demanded the withdrawal of all FIRs, the release of detained protesters, a halt to the registration of fresh criminal cases by the Delhi Police, central agencies and police forces in BJP-ruled states, and the immediate release of the signed agreement.
The CJP also announced the creation of a nationwide legal aid cell and launched an online evidence-gathering platform called SAAKSHI.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal announced a corpus of Rs 1 crore to provide legal support to protesters facing criminal proceedings.
The agitation was called off on July 25 after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister.
