New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- Delhi is preparing for heightened security measures ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10, with restrictions affecting railway services, metro stations, accommodation providers and road movement. The demonstration has been called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police has denied permission for the protest, citing procedural requirements and security concerns. The police said organisers had not provided the mandatory 10-day advance notice. Authorities have warned that action may be taken if people violate prohibitory orders or other restrictions. Railway services have been affected as part of the security preparations. Trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday have been cancelled. Some trains departing from West Bengal on Friday have also been cancelled because of anticipated congestion and difficulties accessing the stations.
Delhi Police has also asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to close entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on Friday. The police have additionally suggested reducing train frequency at the affected stations to prevent large crowds from moving towards sensitive locations in central Delhi. The restrictions are intended to remain in place through October 10, subject to the prevailing situation. Security arrangements include the deployment of around 23,000 Central Armed Police Forces personnel to assist Delhi Police between October 8 and 12. Five all-women paramilitary companies are also expected to be deployed. Authorities are preparing temporary detention facilities at multiple locations, including stadiums, in case large numbers of protesters are detained.
Police have also stepped up checks at hotels, guest houses and other accommodation facilities, questioning some visitors about the purpose and duration of their stay. Officers have been directed to monitor bus operators and bookings to track groups travelling towards the New Delhi district. Educational institutions and paying guest accommodation owners have also been approached and asked to discourage students from attending the demonstration. The measures have drawn criticism from CJP leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who have accused authorities of attempting to prevent people from participating in the protest. Das described the security preparations as evidence of the government being "at war with its own citizens", while the party has maintained that its demonstration will go ahead. The CJP is demanding Kumar's resignation over allegations related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has maintained that the revision is a verification exercise and that eligible voters whose names are wrongly omitted can apply for enrolment again.
The restrictions have also prompted a legal challenge. Lawyers approached the Supreme Court seeking an urgent hearing on measures including train cancellations, metro restrictions and other curbs ahead of the protest. The court agreed to hear the matter on Friday afternoon.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.