Delhi detains more than 7,000 as protest over election chief is blocked

Delhi authorities detained more than 7,000 people during a police crackdown on a planned protest at Jantar Mantar.

The protest, called by the Cockroach Janta Party, demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The party accused Kumar of involvement in voter-list manipulation during a revision of electoral rolls and of other irregularities in voter registration.

Those detained included party leaders, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, members of other political parties, activists and students.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta accused opposition leaders of trying to turn the city into a battleground, while praising police for keeping the situation under control.

The crackdown brought heavy security and restrictions to the capital, and Gupta said the law would be enforced firmly.