Delhi imposes massive security restrictions ahead of CJP protest; 25,000 personnel deployed

Delhi has imposed sweeping security restrictions ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, deploying 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel, shutting entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations and suspending mobile internet services in a four-kilometre radius around the protest site.

The measures follow Delhi Police's refusal to grant permission for the October 10 demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police said the arrangements were intended to prevent an unauthorised gathering and maintain law and order amid the possibility of large-scale mobilisation.

Mobile internet services within the specified radius of Jantar Mantar will remain suspended from 10 pm on Friday to 10 pm on Saturday, sources said, adding that the Union Home Ministry had approved the decision. Internet services in the rest of Delhi will remain unaffected.

The New Delhi district has been divided into 20 zones, each to be monitored by a Joint Commissioner of Police, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. Special Commissioners heading various units will also oversee the arrangements and coordinate responses to any law-and-order situation, the sources said.

Addressing a press conference, Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said permission for the proposed demonstration had been denied because the application was submitted on October 7, only three days before the event, whereas rules require at least 10 days' notice.

Police also cited concerns over compliance with directions issued during an earlier protest in July.

The proposed demonstration is against Kumar over allegations of voter-list tampering during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and of bypassing his two colleagues to alter Form 6, a document used for voter registration.

As part of the security exercise, police conducted mock drills at several locations. More than 120 companies of Central Armed Police Forces are expected to be deployed.

Authorities have also ordered liquor shops across Delhi to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said entry and exit gates at 57 stations would remain closed from 9 pm on Friday until further notice. The restrictions will continue on Saturday, with interchange facilities available at all affected stations except New Delhi, it said.

Among the stations affected are Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Indraprastha, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market, Chandni Chowk, Hauz Khas, INA, Jamia Millia Islamia, Shaheen Bagh and Lajpat Nagar.

Rail services are also expected to face disruption. Several trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday have reportedly been cancelled.

The restrictions could affect office-goers, students, shoppers and other commuters who rely on public transport. Passengers have been advised to check official announcements before travelling.

Security has also been stepped up at the Capital's border points, railway stations, bus terminals, hotels, lodges, guest houses and other sensitive locations. Additional cameras have been installed at the borders, while police teams are checking accommodation facilities as part of the preventive exercise.

Police are also monitoring social media activity linked to the proposed demonstration. More than 200 content creators have reportedly come under scrutiny over alleged mobilisation efforts, with teams examining online posts and messages relating to gathering points and the protest.

Bus terminals are expected to see heightened vigilance, particularly for vehicles and passengers arriving from neighbouring states. The airport and its approach roads will also remain under increased security, with travellers advised to allow extra time for possible congestion and checks.

Police sources said restrictions on vehicles entering New Delhi after 6 am on Saturday could be imposed depending on the security assessment and the situation on the ground.

Authorities are also issuing appeals through mosques and temples, urging people to maintain peace. Police said security personnel would monitor developments throughout Saturday and respond to crowd build-up, traffic obstructions or attempts to breach barricades.