India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The Delhi Police has started preparing for the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed September 5 march, citing concerns over security and traffic. But as of Tuesday, a senior police officer said the group had not yet sought permission for the protest.
The CJP announced on Monday that it planned to hold a peaceful march from India Gate to the Delhi Police headquarters on Jai Singh Road. The group says the Centre has failed to fulfil commitments made to young protesters when the agitation at Jantar Mantar was called off last month.
Delhi Police are preparing for a proposed September 5 march by the CJP from India Gate to police headquarters due to security concerns, noting the group has not yet sought permission and that prohibitory orders are in effect in the area.
The proposed 2.5-km march is expected to include families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide, as well as people who say they were victims of police brutality. Students, youth organisations and young citizens from across the country have also been invited to join.
Police have already pointed out that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita are in force in the New Delhi district, which includes India Gate. They have also said that protests and marches in the area are permitted only at Jantar Mantar and require prior permission.
“The department has not received any request for any march or protest from their side,” deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma said.
A CJP spokesperson, however, said the organisation would inform the Delhi Police about the protest in the coming days.
One senior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the proposed march was unlikely to be allowed at India Gate.
“There is absolutely no possibility that this protest is legal. India Gate is not a designated site and huge crowds there will lead to major law-and-order as well as traffic violations. Also, we do not allow marches in New Delhi due to security issues,” the officer said.
Police have now started working out arrangements to prevent people from gathering at India Gate, another officer said. Two officers told HT that senior police officials, including joint commissioner of police (New Delhi) Nupur Prasad and officers from the New Delhi district, held meetings on Tuesday to discuss the proposed protest and assess the security situation.
The police are also expected to ask the organisers to shift the protest to another venue, possibly Ramlila Maidan or another suitable location, depending on the expected turnout.
Delhi Police prepares for possible mobilisation
Police at Parliament Street station have collected information about the CJP’s leaders, spokesperson and other organisers. They are also keeping an eye on the group’s social media activity and trying to assess whether supporters could travel to Delhi from other states, the first officer said.
“We have also found that families of NEET victims and other student leaders will join them. We are keeping a check on them. If CJP does not approach us, we will reach out to them. It’s too soon to say, but in case there’s mobility from multiple states or groups, our staff is already keeping an eye on social media activities and transport,” the officer said.
Another officer said paramilitary forces had already been kept on standby to strengthen security around India Gate, the Parliament Street-PHQ stretch and Connaught Place.
“As of now, the Special Branch and other teams are estimating the size of the protest. Based on Tuesday’s meetings, we have been asked to retain the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and other staff and also call ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) in case there’s a sizable crowd. We have not written to ITBP yet but have informed senior staff beforehand,” the officer said.
