Delhi turns into fortress ahead of CJP protest: 35,000 personnel on the streets, 45 metro stations shut

Delhi Police have tightened security across the national capital ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Several protesters were detained in the morning as police intensified vehicle checks at border points and deployed personnel along key entry and exit routes.

More than 35,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel have reportedly been deployed across the city ahead of the demonstration, which is expected to draw a large crowd despite the denial of police permission.

In an Instagram post, the CJP called for a large mobilisation at Jantar Mantar, saying, “10th October. Jantar Mantar 2.0. We’re coming together again to raise our voice against Gyanesh Kumar. Thousands of us are expected...”

In a separate video message, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke vowed not to withdraw from the protest even if he was detained or arrested. He urged people to participate in large numbers while maintaining peace and discipline.

Delhi Police have directed their teams to detain anyone attempting to stage a protest, regardless of their location. Police have also instructed Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) units not to issue weapons for deployment in connection with the demonstration.

Those detained are being shifted to six designated centres: Chhatrasal Stadium, Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Yamuna Sports Complex, Surajmal Stadium, the Community Centre in Daulatpur and the Community Centre in Pandrawal.

“From a security perspective, pickets have been deployed at the entry and exit points of the North District. As you are aware, Section 163 of the BNSS is in force in New Delhi, and permission has not been granted for the protests scheduled for tomorrow; therefore, our aim is to ensure that no anti-social elements proceed towards New Delhi and that law and order is maintained,” North District Deputy Commissioner of Police Niharika Bhatt told ANI.

The New Delhi district has been divided into 20 zones for close monitoring by senior police officers. Special commissioners heading various units are also keeping a close watch on the situation. Multiple facial recognition systems (FRS), additional CCTV cameras, rooftop spotters and drones are expected to be deployed across Central Delhi as part of the security arrangements.

Additional women police personnel from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have also been called in for the October 10 protest.

Metro, rail services to be affected

At least 45 Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Janpath, Supreme Court, ITO and Kashmere Gate, along with several stations in south and northeast Delhi, have been shut. Interchange facilities will remain available at these stations, except at New Delhi Metro station.

Rail passengers are also likely to face disruptions, with several trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm reportedly cancelled.

The CJP is demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Several student organisations and political groups are also expected to join the demonstration.

“We need free and fair elections, and those elections cannot happen without the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, cannot happen without scrapping SIR, and cannot happen without an independent selection procedure through which Election Commissioners are selected,” Dipke said in his video message.