No nod for CJP's Tiranga march in Central Park, Delhi Police offer alternative venue

The Delhi Police has mobilised over 6,000 personnel and 220 CAPF companies ahead of the proposed CJP march in Central Park. The march, which has not got police permission, has prompted restrictions in and around the Connaught Place area.

In Short

• CJP march at Central Park not permitted by cops; park shut on Friday and Saturday
• Security tightened with extra CCTV cameras and barricades in Connaught Place area
• Cops warn against unauthorised gatherings, may allow limited flag march at alternate venue

More than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel and 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces will be deployed in the New Delhi area ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march on Friday, news agency PTI reported.

Security has been increased across key locations, while surveillance has been strengthened with additional CCTV cameras. The march is proposed to be held at 5 pm at Central Park in Connaught Place, but police said it has not been granted permission.

The security arrangements cover Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby Metro stations and other sensitive locations in Lutyens' Delhi. Additional personnel are being brought in from other districts to prevent any law-and-order problem.

Barricades have been placed at several points, including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, ITO and Sansad Marg. Officers said the focus was on securing the commercial district's multiple entry and exit points without bringing public movement to a standstill.

A senior police officer told PTI that 5,000 additional personnel had been kept in reserve from other districts to strengthen the deployment. The 220 Central Armed Police Forces companies earmarked for New Delhi will also cover adjoining districts, border areas and other important locations.

Thirty companies will be deployed in each of three shifts planned through the day. The strength may be increased if large crowds gather or the demonstration continues into the night. "If the crowd swells during the night and we need more security, we will increase the strength to 60 companies in one shift," the officer said.

More than 10 CCTV cameras have been installed in and around Central Park and Rajiv Chowk to monitor the gathering and retain footage in case of any violation or untoward incident. "Since there were hardly any cameras at Central Park and a large gathering of people is expected, we have installed new cameras," the officer said.

The New Delhi Municipal Council has announced that Central Park will remain closed to the public on Friday and Saturday for "administrative reasons". Delhi Police said it could allow a select group of people to wave the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable location.

The march was announced amid a standoff between the CJP and Delhi Police over demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It was called after CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to judicial custody for entering Jantar Mantar on October 13. Student organisations, activists and Aam Aadmi Party supporters are also expected to join the proposed demonstration.

Police are preparing for crowds to enter through the area's multiple access points and spill into adjoining markets. Senior officers are planning the deployment and movement of personnel to ensure that the security cordon does not unnecessarily disrupt commuters or commercial activity.

Delhi Police spokesperson Neha Yadav said, according to PTI, that permission had not been granted for the march. She said orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, which prohibit mass gatherings, were already in force in Connaught Place and nearby areas.

The security plan also accounts for the closure of Central Park, with the municipal council seeking adequate arrangements to prevent unauthorised entry. Yadav said market and trade associations in and around Connaught Place had submitted written requests seeking protection for their establishments, citing concerns that large gatherings were affecting business.

Police have asked people to stay away from unauthorised gatherings and warned of action against those violating orders or disturbing public peace.

"We are ready to grant permission to a select few protesters for a flag march at some other spot," Yadav said, adding that such an arrangement would have to be made at a suitable location.

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