CJP’s Delhi Protest: 400 Detained Overnight, Trains Cancelled and Metro Stations Shut

CJP Protest in Delhi: Over 400 Detained, Hundreds of Trains Cancelled, Metro Stations Shut

More than 400 people have been detained overnight in Delhi, while hundreds of trains have been cancelled and entry and exit gates at 45 metro stations ordered shut ahead of a major protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called on its supporters to assemble in the national capital for the demonstration. The Centre has deployed more than 20,000 police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel to maintain law and order amid heightened security.

Authorities have refused permission for the protest and introduced extensive restrictions to prevent demonstrators from entering restricted areas. The preparations come against the backdrop of the July 20 paper-leak protests, which were followed by the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

More than 400 people, including individuals identified by police as criminals, have been detained across the capital as part of the security measures.

Metro entry and exit gates at 45 stations, including Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk and Kashmere Gate, will remain closed. More than 250 trains, including interstate and local services scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday, have also been cancelled.

Internet services have been suspended within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing for 24 hours from 10 pm on Friday.

Despite the restrictions, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the party’s volunteers and supporters remained determined to proceed with the planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

“On the one hand, you say protests will lead to inconvenience. On the other hand, you have shut down the Metro, railways and blocked roads. Will this not lead to inconvenience?” he asked.

Delhi Police Draws Up Extensive Security Plan

The Delhi Police has prepared a multi-layered security strategy focused on preventing protesters from entering restricted areas and maintaining law and order while avoiding further controversy over its handling of demonstrations.

Officials have been instructed to stop protesters from entering the New Delhi district and remove them from prohibited areas as quickly as possible.

A zone extending approximately 1.5 kilometres around key locations has been designated highly sensitive. The area includes Jantar Mantar, Janpath, the Election Commission’s office and Delhi Police headquarters.

More than 6,500 personnel will be deployed within this stretch, according to an official, making it one of the most heavily guarded parts of the capital during the protest.

Surveillance has also been intensified, with more than 300 CCTV cameras equipped with audio-recording capabilities installed at sensitive locations across the New Delhi district.

Seven Barricading Layers at Jantar Mantar

Security around Jantar Mantar has been strengthened with at least seven layers of barricades along the road leading to the designated protest site. Some of the innermost barricades have been welded together to make them harder to breach.

Loudspeakers have been installed at sensitive locations to broadcast recorded announcements informing the public that permission for the demonstration has not been granted. The announcements urge people not to gather for the protest, raise slogans, damage public property or assault police personnel.

Community centres, mosques and resident welfare associations have also been asked to communicate the restrictions to residents. People travelling to New Delhi to participate in the demonstration have been warned that they could face arrest and legal action.

Police teams are checking hotels and lodges across New Delhi and Central Delhi. Hotel managers have reportedly been asked to discourage guests from joining the demonstration.

Airbnb hosts and other property owners have also been advised against renting out accommodation to individuals planning to participate in the protest. They have been asked to alert the police if they suspect that guests intend to join the gathering.

Police Step Up Videography to Document Events

Recording the protest and the police response is another major component of the security arrangements. The move follows allegations of misconduct and excessive force during recent demonstrations.

Videos circulated on social media after protests earlier this month allegedly showed police personnel assaulting protesters and engaging in misconduct involving a woman demonstrator. The allegations have intensified scrutiny of the police response.

To document events from multiple angles, body cameras have been provided to senior officers, including those of the rank of additional commissioner of police and above, along with other personnel deployed on duty.

Hundreds of photographers and videographers have also been engaged to record developments in real time. Officials expect the footage to help establish the sequence of events, provide verifiable evidence in response to disputed claims and support investigations if any incidents occur.

The Delhi Police has additionally issued an open letter appealing for restraint and understanding. The message reminds the public that police personnel have families waiting for them at home and stresses that wearing a uniform does not diminish a person’s humanity.

The appeal calls for humanity and restraint from all sides as the capital prepares for the proposed demonstration amid extensive security restrictions.