Delhi
Delhi protest explained: Why the capital is on high alert
Delhi is bracing for the Cockroach Janta Party’s October 10 protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with tens of thousands of security personnel, prohibitory orders and a liquor shop closure on October 9 and 10.
The CJP plans a protest on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police have not granted permission.
Tens of thousands of security personnel are reportedly being deployed.
Reports gave different totals, from more than 20,000 to about 43,000.
Commuters should check advisories before travelling.
About 23,000 Central Armed Police Forces personnel are reportedly being deployed, according to Outlook.
The Union Home Ministry approved 221 CAPF companies for October 8 to 12, plus 110 additional companies for Delhi Police, according to the same report.
About 20,000 Delhi Police personnel will also be deployed, according to sources cited by Outlook.
Reports gave different totals for the deployment, from more than 20,000 to about 43,000, so this report gives the figures as attributed.
For comparison, about 150 CAPF companies were deployed for the CJP’s July protest at Jantar Mantar, according to Outlook.
Officials plan multi-layered barricades and strict surveillance at Delhi’s borders, railway stations and bus terminals.
CCTV feeds will be monitored from a control room, and facial recognition cameras are to be installed across the capital.
Police could close all Metro stations in the New Delhi area and shut markets if needed, according to the reports.
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which lets executive magistrates issue urgent public-order orders, will be in force, according to sources cited by Outlook.
Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have been asked to stay alert, according to the same report.
Retail liquor shops in Delhi have been ordered shut on October 9 and 10, according to India TV News and LatestLY.
Hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants with excise licences to serve liquor will stay open.
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait announced support for the October 10 protest, according to ETV Bharat.
On October 6, INDIA bloc MPs marched towards the Election Commission with the same demand and were stopped by police.
Connaught Place, New Delhi (file image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0