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New Delhi has been placed under tight security ahead of the Kokroch Janata Party’s (CJP) “Lehra Do Tiranga” or flag march on Friday (October 16). More than 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in New Delhi and surrounding areas for the event. New CCTV cameras are also being installed at Central Park in Connaught Place and Rajiv Chowk Metro Station. Restrictions are in place to prevent protests, NDTV reported.
The CJP has called the march demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The programme is also intended to protest the arrests of party leaders Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Rankar earlier this week.
After Jantar Mantar was no longer designated as the protest site, the party called for a gathering at Central Park in Connaught Place. Neha Bora, a leader of the All India Students’ Association, and members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are also expected to participate.
Ahead of the march, Delhi Police urged the public not to gather at Central Park. Meanwhile, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced in a notice that the park would remain closed to the public on Friday and Saturday for administrative reasons. The decision was taken in view of the planned protest.
On Thursday (October 15), Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar held a high-level meeting with senior officials, including joint commissioners of police and the deputy commissioner of police for New Delhi district. The meeting reviewed security arrangements for the protest.
A senior police official said there were currently no plans to suspend metro services. However, the option would be considered as a last resort depending on the situation.
In a statement issued on Thursday evening, Delhi Police public relations officer and Deputy Commissioner Neha Yadav said restrictions had already been imposed in Connaught Place and surrounding areas to maintain peace and protect public and private property as well as human lives. The restrictions are being enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
