More than 32,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed or remain on alert in Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned “Lehra Do Tiranga” protest on Friday, with police tightening security across central Delhi.
Delhi Police will deploy more than 6,000 personnel in and around Connaught Place and the Lutyens’ area. Their deployment will supplement the approximately 26,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel stationed in the national capital over the past week, reports Hindustan Times.
The heightened security comes after the CJP called for protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced a “Lehra Do Tiranga” (Let the Tricolour Fly) demonstration at Central Park in Connaught Place at 5pm on Friday.
The planned march follows the arrest of party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to judicial custody after entering Jantar Mantar on 13 October, following the site’s de-notification as a designated protest venue.
In Mumbai, police have granted the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) permission to hold its “Lehra Do Tiranga” rally at Azad Maidan on Friday. Scheduled to begin at 10am, the rally aims to show solidarity with the party’s jailed leaders, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.
Security tightened across central Delhi
Police have also kept 5,000 additional personnel available from other districts. Security arrangements will cover Rajiv Chowk, Connaught Place markets, Central Park, nearby Metro stations, Jantar Mantar and Palika Bazaar.
Delhi Police spokesperson Neha Yadav said permission had not been granted for the proposed march and that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were already in force in the area.
However, she said a select group of people might be allowed to march at another suitable location.
Police have installed more than 10 CCTV cameras in and around Central Park and Rajiv Chowk to monitor the situation ahead of the planned gathering.
Dipke is expected to join the march alongside student organisations, activists and members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The demonstration was announced after CJP co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were arrested on Tuesday morning. They were subsequently placed in judicial custody for five days over the unfurling of the national flag at Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a designated protest site.
CJP founder says he is ready for jail
Speaking at a press conference late Thursday, Dipke said he believed police might detain him that night or on Friday morning. He also alleged that police personnel and intelligence officials were monitoring his residence.
Dipke said he was prepared to face imprisonment for unfurling the national flag.
“Tomorrow, we will peacefully go and wave the Tiranga. As the citizens of this country, if you consider this to be a crime, then you are the biggest traitor,” he said.
“If we have to go to jail to wave the Tiranga in this country, then we are ready for it,” he added.
Mumbai police approves rally at Azad Maidan
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police has granted the CJP permission to hold its “Lehra Do Tiranga” rally at Azad Maidan on Friday.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Manish Kalwaniya confirmed the approval to the Press Trust of India (PTI) on Thursday. He said the organisers had made it clear that the demonstration would take place exclusively at Azad Maidan.
Another police official said permission had been granted because Azad Maidan is a designated protest venue.
The Mumbai rally is intended to express solidarity with the party’s jailed leaders, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.
Organisers expect the demonstration to begin at 10am on Friday.
The contrasting arrangements in Delhi and Mumbai come as the party presses ahead with its campaign in support of its detained leaders and its demand for the chief election commissioner’s resignation.
