Biggest security build-up since February 2020 as lawyers, farmers and the Opposition rally behind the CJP’s anti-CEC protest
New Delhi, October 9: The capital is preparing for one of its most heavily policed weekends in years. More than 26,000 Central Armed Police Forces personnel have been deployed ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The Home Ministry has approved at least 110 additional CAPF companies, drawn from Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. Together with the 111 companies already stationed in Delhi, this is the largest deployment since February 2020, when the Assembly elections, Donald Trump’s visit and the northeast Delhi riots all fell in the same month.
Several groups are joining the protest. Lawyers plan to march from Patiala House Court, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait has pledged support, and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to join INDIA bloc leaders. The Opposition may march towards Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.
Police plan to stop activists at airports, railway stations and bus terminals, and may extend prohibitory orders beyond the New Delhi district. In a first for a single protest, all liquor vends across the city have been ordered shut for two days. A decision on schools is expected on Friday.
Facing allegations of misconduct, including a molestation complaint against an ACP that the crime branch is now investigating, police have deployed about 150 body-worn cameras and hired photographers to document events. A police advisory for journalists has also drawn counter-demands that officers wear visible name tags.
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