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Delhi Tightens Security Ahead of Protest Demanding Election Chief’s Resignation
A group called the Cockroach Janta Party planned a protest in Delhi on October 10.
It wants India’s chief election officer, Gyanesh Kumar, to resign.
The group says there were problems with changes to voter lists.
The Election Commission and the BJP deny the allegations.
Police refused permission for the protest, but the organisers said they planned to go ahead.
Police and paramilitary forces were deployed across the city, and officials announced restrictions.
Reports said metro stations and trains would be affected, but they gave different totals.
Mobile internet was also suspended in some parts of the city, according to one report.
The Cockroach Janta Party and INDIA bloc planned an October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Organisers cited alleged irregularities in voter-list revisions; a report said election commissioners had objected to some decisions, while the Election Commission and BJP denied the allegations.
Delhi Police denied permission, citing a late request, previous undertakings and concerns about law and order; CJP leaders said they would proceed, calling protest a fundamental right.
Authorities deployed more than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel, set up barricades and announced traffic restrictions; mobile internet was also suspended in parts of central Delhi, according to one report.
Reports differed on travel disruption: one cited 45 metro stations closed and more than 250 trains cancelled, while another reported 57 metro stations shut and 254 trains cancelled.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janta Party, INDIA bloc and other protest groups; the protest targets Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- A planned demonstration calling for Kumar’s resignation over alleged voter-list irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and other parts of New Delhi, India.
- When
- October 10; security and travel restrictions began on Friday, according to the reports.
- Why
- Organisers allege irregularities in electoral-roll revisions and decisions made within the Election Commission.
Organisers and critics
Authorities and allegation denials
Voter-list revision allegations
Organisers and critics
Protest organisers and opposition parties allege irregularities in electoral-roll revisions and say Kumar should resign.
Authorities and allegation denials
The Election Commission and BJP have denied the allegations; the BJP says opposition parties are misleading the public.
Permission to demonstrate
Organisers and critics
CJP leaders reject the police decision and say holding the protest is a fundamental right.
Authorities and allegation denials
Delhi Police denied permission, citing the timing of the request, previous undertakings and the need to maintain law and order.
Key facts
- Protest site
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Protest date and planned time
- October 10 at 10 a.m., according to Reuters
- Main demand
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation
- Police deployment
- More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel, according to a senior police officer cited in one report
- Metro restrictions
- One report said 45 stations were closed; another said 57 were shut
- Train cancellations
- Reports cited more than 250 cancellations and, more specifically, 254 trains cancelled
- Mobile internet
- One report said service was suspended within a 4 km radius of the protest area from Friday night to Saturday night
Sources
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