2 hrs ago
Opposition Leaders Detained as Delhi Protest Disrupts Capital
Opposition leaders and activists protested in Delhi over changes to voter lists and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Some protesters also demanded that Kumar resign.
Police detained Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and many others in different parts of the city.
Reports gave different totals for how many protesters were detained: around 1,000 in one account and more than 1,500 CJP supporters in another.
Police also used roadblocks and restricted access at many metro stations.
Some railway stations were also reported shut.
Shops in several markets closed because traders worried about possible damage.
Banerjee said she was taken away against her will, while Kejriwal criticised the detentions.
Delhi Police detained Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and other opposition leaders during Saturday’s protest.
The demonstration opposed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, with protest organizers also demanding his resignation.
Police sources said around 1,000 protesters were detained; another report said more than 1,500 CJP supporters were detained as a preventive measure.
Security measures included road closures, checks and metro restrictions; one report said entry and exit were limited at 45 stations, while the earlier summary reported several metro and two railway stations shut.
Markets including Khan Market and Connaught Place closed voluntarily; traders cited concerns about possible property damage and said business expenses continued.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and other opposition leaders and activists were detained by Delhi Police.
- What
- A protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls led to mass detentions and security restrictions.
- Where
- Delhi, including South Avenue, near Kejriwal’s residence, and areas around Jantar Mantar and INA Market.
- When
- Saturday, October 10; the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- Protesters opposed the electoral-roll revision and called for Kumar’s resignation; the demonstration also raised allegations of irregularities in the revision.
Protesters and detained leaders
Police and security measures
Reason for the protest
Protesters and detained leaders
Protesters opposed the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, alleged irregularities and called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police and security measures
The articles report that police deployed security and used preventive detentions to prevent protesters from marching toward Jantar Mantar.
Characterization of detentions
Protesters and detained leaders
Banerjee said she and colleagues were kidnapped and driven around in a prison van; Kejriwal criticised the detentions and called the situation worse than the Emergency.
Police and security measures
Police sources described detentions as part of action against protesters attempting to march; one report said CJP supporters were detained as a preventive measure.
Key facts
- Detained leaders
- Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal were among those detained.
- Other named detainees
- Derek O’Brien, Dola Sen, Dipankar Bhattacharya, Neha Bora, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan were also named.
- Reported detention totals
- One account cited around 1,000 protesters detained across Delhi; another reported more than 1,500 CJP supporters detained as a preventive measure.
- Protest demands
- The protest opposed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls; another report said protesters demanded Kumar’s resignation.
- Metro restrictions
- One report said entry and exit were restricted at 45 stations from 9 pm Friday until 6 pm Saturday; an earlier summary reported several stations shut.
- Other security measures
- Road closures and vehicle checks were reported; the earlier summary said two railway stations were shut.
- Market closures
- Traders voluntarily closed shops in markets including Khan Market and Connaught Place, citing fears of property damage.
- Banerjee’s statement
- Banerjee said she had been taken to Dwarka North police station and described her detention as a kidnapping.
Quotes
Mamata Banerjee
Former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress leader
“4pm. Along with our 5 MPs, we have started our dharna at Dwarka North PS where we have been brought. We were kidnapped and driven around in a prison van for two hours. I am not returning to Kolkata tonight and in protest against all that is happening today against the youth and all, I will join the I.N.D.I.A march on Monday,”
wionews.com
Sources
Related news
Opposition Leaders Detained During Protest Demanding CEC’s Resignation
Opposition Leaders Detained While Trying to Join Delhi Protest
Mamata Banerjee and TMC Leaders Detained During Delhi Protest
Delhi Police Detain Opposition Figures Ahead of Jantar Mantar Protest
Delhi Police Detain Kejriwal and Hundreds at Protests
Mamata Banerjee, Activists Detained During Delhi Protests
Suvendu Threatens Action Over Bhattacharyya’s ‘Anti-Hindu’ Post