Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) major protest in Delhi on Saturday, police have beefed up security and scanned local hotels for 'suspicious' guests. Is this a proactive crackdown aimed at detaining protesters?
Reports said Delhi Police officials were visiting hotels, guest houses, and other accommodation facilities across the capital and questioning occupants about their purpose for visiting the city.
"The teams are entering the premises, checking the occupant registers or logs maintained by owners and managers and checking against a list of factors," an officer was quoted by Hindustan Times.
Locating the place of stay of social media influencer Dhruv Rathee and CJP's founder Abhijeet Dipke is the prime responsibility of the Special Cell and Crime Branch teams, the officer added.
Police have also been monitoring bus operators and checking bookings to establish who is hiring them and where they are headed.
Officials are also tracking the large groups arriving in Delhi. They have also made it clear that they are not stopping or detaining anyone but just making inquiries.
Amid reports of police detaining youth groups travelling to Delhi, an All India Youth Federation activist from Mumbai alleged police intimidation. He claimed an officer called him while he was en route to the capital, accused him of mobilising for the demonstration, and called him a 'terrorist' after he challenged the questioning.
In Bhopal, meanwhile, railway police said they detained 21 people travelling on the Goa Express towards Delhi for the protests.
Also, CJP has alleged that Rajasthan Police forcibly detained its organisational co-in-charge Deepak Baliyan from his residence in Alwar district on Thursday night. The leaders alleged that he was manhandled despite his fractured leg.
Party co-convener Ashutosh Ranka said the police took Baliyan from his house in Kathumar on October 8 and released him late at night.
Baliyan's family said that police arrived at his residence and said that the local station house officer had summoned him.
Baliyan livestreamed the police action on social media, after which the personnel left, the family claimed. The police allegedly returned later and asked Baliyan to delete the video.
Later, he was taken into custody, the family said.
The CJP has announced a massive protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who has been accused of "vote theft".
