Agartala, Oct 10 (PTI) Tripura Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar were among several Left leaders detained by Delhi Police on Saturday during a protest march in the national capital against alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
In a video message recorded from a bus carrying the detained protesters, Chaudhury said he was taken into custody along with members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).
He said several state committee members, including Manik De, Kajal De and Kali Purkayastha, were also among those detained.
According to Chaudhury, the protesters were stopped near Sugreev Bhawan while marching towards their intended destination. He alleged that police personnel subsequently detained them and were taking them to an unidentified location on the outskirts of Delhi.
The demonstration was organised to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns over the exercise and demanded accountability from the Election Commission.
Chaudhury accused the Narendra Modi-led government of undermining democratic rights and constitutional principles by restricting peaceful protests. He described the police action as an attempt to suppress dissent and prevent opposition leaders from raising concerns over the electoral process.
The opposition leader also alleged that restrictions had been imposed on movement across several parts of Delhi, affecting metro and bus services. He claimed that people attempting to enter the national capital from outside had also been stopped and sent back.
Describing the situation as restrictive, Chaudhury said the measures had created an atmosphere resembling a prison.
He further claimed that some people on the streets had expressed solidarity with the protesters by raising their hands as police personnel moved them into vehicles, despite the rain.
Chaudhury maintained that the demonstration was part of a broader struggle against what he described as the government’s authoritarian approach.
He asserted that the detentions would not deter the opposition from raising concerns over electoral issues and democratic rights, adding that the movement would continue with further demonstrations.
There was no immediate response from Delhi Police to Chaudhury’s specific allegations.
