As Delhi gears up for the mega protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a senior IPS officer has called on police personnel to exercise restraint and maintain peace.
Prepare for the storm, practise restraint, protect the peace, because the true strength of the police is not merely in controlling a crowd, but in doing so with discipline, dignity and minimum force, IPS Madhur Verma wrote on social media.
The appeal from the 2005-batch officer comes amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital ahead of the mass demonstration called by the CJP and the All India Students' Association at Jantar Mantar. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, alleging large-scale irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police has denied permission for the protest, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The capital has effectively turned into a fortress ahead of the planned agitation.
Security has been beefed up across the city, with authorities urging the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to shut entry and exit gates at 57 stations and consider reducing train frequency. Railways have also cancelled certain Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at major terminal stations, aiming to prevent people from traveling to Delhi to join the event.
The massive security build-up includes 221 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, comprising approximately 23,000 personnel. Law enforcement agencies have also identified locations for road blockades, prepared detention facilities, and coordinated with transport and accommodation providers.
The extensive preparations have drawn sharp criticism from CJP leaders, who accuse the administration of trying to intimidate demonstrators. Police have maintained that the stringent measures are necessary to preserve public order.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned the scale of the security measures, arguing that permission was unnecessary for a gathering at Jantar Mantar since it is a designated protest site. Undeterred by the arrangements, leadership vowed that supporters would march to the site regardless of the obstacles.
CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka separately appealed to police personnel to refrain from using force against students and young protesters, referencing clashes from previous demonstrations.