500 women paramilitary personnel deployed amid October 10 protest

Delhi Police are preparing for a large turnout of women at the October 10 “Jantar Mantar 2.0” protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, with officers confirming they will deploy 450 to 500 additional women paramilitary personnel to help manage the expected crowd.

Police sources told The Pioneer that at least five all-women companies from central armed police forces will be stationed with Delhi Police during the protest. These units are part of a larger reinforcement of about 11,000 extra central force personnel coming to the city. With these additions, the total number of Central Armed Police Forces in Delhi is expected to reach around 26,000, the highest since the North East Delhi riots in 2020.

In New Delhi district, where Jantar Mantar is located, about 5,000 Delhi Police officers are already on duty. Officials said the number could rise to 15,000 if the expected crowd grows. Additional women paramilitary personnel will work with Delhi Police women officers to ensure enough female staff for searches, crowd guidance, and handling any incidents involving women.

These preparations are in place because many women are expected to attend the protest. Officials have not given an official estimate of the total turnout. Still, the large police mobilisation suggests they are planning for a big crowd that will need extra security at the protest site and nearby areas. Jantar Mantar has often been used for public demonstrations in Delhi, and past events there have sometimes needed more police when large crowds were expected.

Police have marked the Cockroach Janta Party protest, called “Jantar Mantar 2.0,” for special planning because of the expected number of women in the crowd. Police usually use all-women units when female protesters may need to be searched, escorted, or spoken to by women officers. This is standard practice to maintain order and avoid issues. These units will work with mixed teams to handle both general crowd control and tasks that need women officers.

New units will join the central forces already in Delhi, bringing the total number of CAPF personnel to the level seen during the 2020 riots. That earlier deployment was one of the largest peacetime gatherings of paramilitary forces in Delhi in recent years, and officials are using it as a benchmark for the current preparations. Delhi Police still has primary responsibility for the district and can increase its numbers from 5,000 to 15,000 if needed, based on real-time information.

No detailed route maps, barricade plans, or traffic changes have been shared yet, as authorities usually decide these closer to the event. Officers said the extra women personnel are a precaution based on the expected crowd, not because of any specific threat. The combined presence of Delhi Police and central forces is meant to keep the protest site under control while letting the demonstration happen as planned.

As of October 8, preparations focus on deploying the five all-women companies and ensuring they work smoothly with current and new personnel. The number of officers in New Delhi district may change in the days before the protest if the expected turnout shifts.