Multi-layered barricading, advance surveillance, thousands of CAPF personnel: How Delhi Police, govt braced for Jantar Mantar stir 2.0 ?
PTC News Desk: After being caught off guard by the large turnout at the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the government and Delhi Police made extensive preparations for Saturday’s protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Security arrangements were strengthened, a new strategy was put in place, and police began monitoring the social media activities of CJP leaders and their supporters early in the day.
Senior government officials directed Delhi Police and paramilitary forces to ensure that Saturday’s protest did not grow as large as the previous demonstration. The Union Home Ministry has cleared the deployment of 221 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies in Delhi between October 8 and 12. This will be in addition to 110 CAPF companies provided to the Delhi Police.
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The security deployment includes 85 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 10 of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), seven of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), seven of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and one company of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Security measures will not be limited to the protest site. Authorities are also planning increased surveillance at Delhi’s borders, railway stations and bus terminals. Neighbouring states, including Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, have also been asked to remain on alert.
According to official sources, the heightened security measures followed intelligence inputs suggesting that anti-national elements might try to infiltrate the October 10 protest.
The situation also drew greater attention after Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait announced his support for the CJP agitation. However, Tikait did not join the protest in Delhi. Instead, he asked BKU supporters to travel to the national capital if they wished or hold demonstrations in their respective areas.
Despite his absence from Delhi, Tikait’s announcement prompted authorities to take the situation seriously.
Responding to criticism over the extensive security arrangements and concerns that they could attract negative attention on social media, BJP sources said maintaining law and order and protecting public safety remained the government’s top priorities.
What the CJP wants
The Cockroach Janata Party called the protest over alleged “vote theft” and wants the Chief Election Commissioner to be held accountable.
'Gyanesh Kumar gaddi chhodo'
Slogans of 'SIR radd karo' and 'Gyanesh Kumar gaddi chhodo' echoed across Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Thursday, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) began a large protest against the Chief Election Commissioner. Actor-activist Prakash Raj and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee stood with CJP's Abhijeet Dipke on the stage. The group is holding a "people's tribunal" on alleged irregularities in the revision of voter lists. A "chappal protest" will follow.
- PTC NEWS
