Delhi Police says no permission granted for Jantar Mantar protest, gears up security

The Delhi Police on Thursday said no permission has been granted to any organisation for protests against the Election Commission (EC) at Jantar Mantar this week, even as it began making security arrangements across Lutyens Delhi over concerns that a large number of protesters may gather at the site anyway.

The All India Students’ Association (AISA) – the student wing of CPI(ML) Liberation – is scheduled to stage a stir at the spot on Friday, seeking removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Police said the Indian Youth Congress, which has already held several protests in the country in recent days, have sought permission for a fresh one at Jantar Mantar but was denied permission.

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) have also announced “Save Democracy” marches across the country from October 2 to 8 with the involvement of the general public, youth and “everyone who believes in democracy and unity”.

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Senior Delhi police officers said they expect a “high number” of protesters at Jantar Mantar this week, even though permission has been denied, and have approached the Ministry of Home Affairs for deployment of “extra force”. Delhi Police along with paramilitary forces have already put multi-layer barricades from Tolstoy Marg, Janpath Road, Sansad Marg till Jantar Mantar. The entire protest site has been blocked with barricades from both sides - Tolstoy Marg and Kerala Bhawan side. Barricading has also been done near Ashoka Road.

An officer, who refused to be named, said a total of 4,000 personnel have been deployed. “District forces, reserved forces, Rapid Action Force and other paramilitary forces have been called,” the officer said, adding that 20 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will also be deployed for security.

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Police said they have already informed MHA and anti-riot gear has been provided to the personnel. On Monday, an AISA delegation, led by its president Neha Bora, submitted an “intimation letter” at Parliament Street police station about a proposed protest at 11am on Friday.