Shimla, Oct. 8 -- Joining the nationwide protest call by the INDIA bloc and Left parties, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) held a demonstration in Shimla on Thursday against the detention of opposition leaders who attempted to march towards the Election Commission of India (ECI), and demanded an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Addressing the protest, CITU state president Vijendra Mehra alleged that the Election Commission was being used to manipulate elections and accused the government of undermining democracy and constitutional institutions.

Speaking with ANI, Mehra said the protest was part of a sustained movement against what he described as the growing interference in the functioning...