India, Oct. 11 -- The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed concern over reports of mass detentions of protesters, civil society members, lawyers and journalists in India during Saturday's demonstrations in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said in a statement, "We are concerned by reports of mass detentions in India of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today's large-scale demonstrations in Delhi."

The statement called on Indian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly, stressing that restrictions on peaceful protests must meet stri...