Protesters detained at Jantar Mantar during demonstration against CEC
New Delhi, Sep 25 (PNS) Delhi Police detained several people at a Jantar Mantar protest on Friday demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's arrest and resignation, organisers told PTI. The demonstration was organised by the All India Students' Association's Delhi unit with other civil society members.
A senior police officer told PTI that the organisers had not sought permission for the demonstration. "No application was submitted and no permission was obtained. They are being removed," the officer said. The organisers said CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and activist Yogendra Yadav were among those detained.
Buses and multiple layers of barricades blocked entrances to Jantar Mantar, where police were deployed.The Indian Youth Congress was scheduled to march to the venue from Raisina Road.
PTI reported that RJD MP Manoj Jha, lawyer Prashant Bhushan, Anjali Bhardwaj and Nandita Narain were among those who participated, according to the organisers. Protesters raised slogans against Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's handling of electoral rolls.
Separately, Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said his group would launch nationwide protests from October 2 if Kumar did not resign by Saturday, The Times of India reported. This statement does not establish that CJP organised Friday's AISA-led demonstration or that Dipke was detained there.
The protest followed The Indian Express report about objections raised by two election commissioners over decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has said internal differences and feedback are part of a multi-member body and that final SIR decisions were unanimous.
(With inputs from PTI)
