Delhi Police Tighten Security at Jantar Mantar With Facial Recognition, Drones and Thousands of Personnel Ahead of CJP Protest

Multiple Facial Recognition Systems (FRS), additional CCTV cameras, rooftop spotters, drones and over 35,000 personnel from Delhi police and paramilitary will be deployed in Central Delhi for Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) call for a mega showdown to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.

CJP is not the only student outfit and political organisation that is expected to be a part of the protest for which the Delhi Police has said “no permission has been granted”.

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In the previous protest by CJP held on July 20, the police tried to disperse the protesters, who were making their way towards the Parliament, leading to the outbreak of violence. Over a hundred policemen were hurt and some protestors as well when the police used water cannon, tear gas, lathicharge and other means of restraint such as firing a pellet gun, injuring at least two protestors.

MULTI-LAYERED SECURITY RINGS

Delhi Police has thrown multi-layered security nets around Central Delhi, avoiding any scenario like the previous one, if adequate measures are taken. The Delhi borders will be cordoned off and proper precautions will be taken.

“Multiple meetings have been held by Delhi police officers with their counterparts in neighbouring states. All the vehicles entering into Delhi from neighbouring states will be thoroughly checked. Borders will be heavily policed. Drones will also have extra personnel to monitor movements in the vicinity of the border areas, a senior police officer, who was briefed, told CNN-News18.

Around 35,000-40,000 personnel will continue to be deployed, including Delhi Police and those of paramilitary groups, for maintaining law and order, the officer said. The roads will be cordoned off to the Election Commission of India and to the Jantar Mantar. We appeal to the people to avoid travel if not necessary. People will be told in the regular announcements and posters will be posted informing them of the restraining orders, the officer said.

The Facial Recognition Systems last time had allegedly identified over 2,800 individuals with criminal records among the protesters during a protest on July 20.

With this in mind, further deployment of FRS has been ensured this time, so that anti-social elements do not get a chance to garb the identity of students, the officer said, adding that the network of CCTV cameras has also been further strengthened in the central areas of the city to ensure tighter vigil.

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On October 7, CJP had gone to the Parliament Street police station to obtain permission for the protest from the Delhi Police but was denied permission.

An application was received from Saurav Das, Co-Convener of Cockroach Janta Party,” Nupur Prasad, joint commissioner of police, New Delhi range, said. The application is regarding an intimation for a protest on 10th October at Jantar Mantar. The protest was against the accountability of the CEC. This intimation was considered and it was observed that this intimation was given in a very short span of time as compared to the prescribed guideline that the intimation should be received 10 days before the protest to be planned.

It is also worth noting that the Cockroach Janta Party, on a previous occasion, was allowed to demonstrate in the area, but they violated the lawful instructions and they have not abided by their assurances made on that day, Prasad said.

Thus due to failure to follow the legal directions, their own act, the prevailing law and order situation and to ensure the safety of the public, law and order and traffic regulation, their permission is refused this time, she said.

In addition to CJP, a number of student outfits and political groups are also likely to join the protest for which the Delhi Police has stated it has issued "no permission".

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