India, Oct. 10 -- On Sansad Marg, the nearly 500-metre stretch connecting Connaught Place to Jantar Mantar, about 250 people stood on the road on Friday evening. But not one was a civilian. Delhi Police personnel, Rapid Action Force members and other central paramilitary forces occupied the carriageway, flanked by towering anti-riot vehicles, buses and police vans. Officers huddled in groups, ate snacks on pavements and listened to briefings from senior officials.

Across central Delhi, the scene was played out in varying degrees.

With a massive gathering expected on Saturday, the Capital has been turned into a fortress, with more than 40,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel deployed to prevent protesters fr...