1 hr ago
Mass Detentions Thwart CJP Protest, Opposition Vows to Continue
The Cockroach Janta Party planned a protest in Delhi on Saturday.
It wanted the chief election official to resign because of alleged problems with voter lists.
Police and other security forces blocked access to the planned protest site and detained more than 7,000 people.
Several opposition leaders and public figures were among those detained.
Police later released most people, but three CJP leaders remained detained.
Protesters gathered in smaller groups at other places around the city.
CJP said it would protest again on Sunday, and opposition parties planned another demonstration on Monday.
The United Nations Human Rights Council said it was concerned about reports of mass detentions and called for peaceful assembly to be respected.
More than 7,000 people were detained as authorities moved to prevent a planned CJP protest at Jantar Mantar.
The protest called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged electoral roll irregularities.
Security deployment figures differed: one account reported over 30,000 personnel, while another said nearly 35,000 paramilitary personnel, in addition to Delhi police.
Delhi police released most detainees late Saturday but kept CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das in detention.
CJP and opposition leaders vowed further demonstrations, including a CJP protest on Sunday and an opposition protest on Monday.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janta Party, opposition leaders, protesters, Delhi police and other security personnel.
- What
- Authorities detained more than 7,000 people ahead of a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and other locations across New Delhi.
- When
- Saturday; CJP announced another protest for Sunday, and opposition parties planned a demonstration for Monday.
- Why
- The protest was called over alleged electoral roll irregularities and demanded the chief election commissioner's resignation.
Critics of the crackdown
Authorities and other accounts
Detentions and restrictions
Critics of the crackdown
CJP and opposition figures characterized the police action as excessive and described it as dictatorship or an emergency-like crackdown. The UN Human Rights Council called for peaceful assembly rights to be respected.
Authorities and other accounts
Authorities deployed security personnel, barricades and movement restrictions to prevent access to the protest site. Police said security arrangements and traffic restrictions would continue on Sunday.
Events around protest sites
Critics of the crackdown
Protesters alleged that right-wing fringe elements attacked them, while several leaders said detainees were driven around in police vehicles for hours.
Authorities and other accounts
The report said protesters allegedly pelted security personnel with stones after bringing down barricades, injuring at least two dozen policemen. A gurdwara committee president disputed AAP's claim that protesters were dragged out of gurdwaras, saying some tried to enter a hall forcibly.
Key facts
- Detentions
- More than 7,000 protesters and others were detained.
- Remaining detainees
- CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das remained detained after most others were released late Saturday.
- Security deployment
- Reports cited over 30,000 security personnel or nearly 35,000 paramilitary personnel, alongside Delhi police.
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities.
- Next CJP demonstration
- Announced for 10 a.m. Sunday at Jantar Mantar.
- Opposition demonstration
- Opposition parties planned to protest on Monday.
- UN response
- The United Nations Human Rights Council expressed concern about reports of mass detentions and called for the right to peaceful assembly to be respected.
Quotes
Mamata Banerjee
Trinamool Congress chief
“The government must have thought we will return home after the detentions today. This fear of Modi, Shah shows we have won half the fight.”
deccanchronicle.com
“we are going to ensure that this regime and the people who have attacked the Constitution are defeated”
thehansindia.com
United Nations Human Rights Council
UN body commenting on the reported detentions and demonstrations.
“We are concerned by reports of mass detentions in India of demonstrators before and during the large-scale demonstrations in Delhi. We call on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and fulfilled.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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