New Delhi, Oct 10 (PTI) More than 3,000 people, including Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and opposition leaders Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, were detained in Delhi on Saturday as police enforced stringent security measures ahead of a proposed protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The demonstration at Jantar Mantar was called to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Authorities had denied permission for the protest, prompting demonstrators to assemble at multiple locations across the national capital.
Dipke and fellow CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained from inside an aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport after arriving from Mumbai. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also detained from his residence in Gurugram, according to reports.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and several Trinamool Congress leaders were detained near South Avenue, while former Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal was taken into custody when he attempted to join the demonstration.
The detained protesters were taken to various locations, including Chhatrasal Stadium and police stations, as security personnel prevented demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar.
Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the city. Entry and exit gates at 45 Metro stations were closed, internet restrictions were imposed in parts of central Delhi, and barricades and traffic diversions were introduced at several locations.
Rail services were also disrupted, with more than 250 train services cancelled or affected by the security arrangements, causing inconvenience to commuters.
Minor clashes were reported at some locations. Stones were allegedly thrown at a bus carrying detained protesters in the Jhandewalan area, while a confrontation occurred near Akashwani Bhawan after demonstrators attempted to breach police barricades.
The detentions triggered criticism from opposition leaders. Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of suppressing peaceful dissent. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, however, defended the security measures, asserting that the national capital would not be allowed to be held hostage by political demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is expected to hear on Sunday a petition alleging that restrictions on Metro services violated its directions.
The CJP has vowed to continue its agitation until the chief election commissioner’s resignation.
