Anti-CEC protests escalate in Delhi: Opposition MPs call for march

Delhi police personnel detain members of AISA, KYS, SFI and other Left parties during the protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. (Express Photo: Gajendra Yadav)

The Delhi Police has increased security across the New Delhi district following a call for a protest march by INDIA bloc MPs demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the roll back of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The New Delhi district has been witnessing protests since October 2 by the Left and other opposition parties, following which police barricaded several intersections and stretches leading to Parliament and Jantar Mantar.

On Tuesday, police said, more than five companies of paramilitary personnel, along with local police, have been deployed along routes expected to be taken by the opposition MPs and leaders from Makar Dwar of Parliament to the Election Commission office.

The march is likely to begin between 10.30 am and 11 am.

Multi-layered barricading has been put in place outside the main entrance of the Election Commission and around Jantar Mantar.

Police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 remain in force in the New Delhi district and, therefore, gatherings are not allowed.

In connection with the last five days of protests near Jantar Mantar, police have registered nine FIRs under various sections, including those related to violation of prohibitory orders, rioting and attacking police personnel while they were discharging their duties in central Delhi.

Story continues below this ad

Eighteen people have also been arrested, while more than 300 people were detained and later released.

Police are also bracing for another protest later this week.

The Cockroach Janta Party has given a call for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, as part of a nation-wide stir, on October 10, demanding the resignation of CEC Kumar.

This is the group’s second round of protests after its July agitation, when it managed to have its demand for the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met following a more than month-long protest at Jantar Mantar.