Over 30,000 security personnel on alert ahead of CJP's Tiranga protest at CP

The elaborate security arrangements reportedly cover Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby Metro stations and other sensitive locations in Lutyens' Delhi, with additional personnel being mobilised from other districts ahead of the proposed 5 pm march.

In Short

• 6,000 Delhi Police personnel, 220 CAPF companies deployed
• Barricades and CCTV installed to maintain law and order
• Traffic restrictions on 21 roads from 3 pm, advisories issued

Delhi is on high alert ahead of the proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) march at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday, with more than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel, 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and an expanded CCTV network deployed to maintain law and order.

The elaborate security arrangements cover Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby Metro stations and other sensitive locations in Lutyens’ Delhi, with additional personnel being mobilised from other districts ahead of the proposed 5 pm march, according to news agency PTI.

Barricades have been placed at several points, including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, ITO and Sansad Marg, while police are securing multiple entry and exit points across the busy commercial district without disrupting public movement.

A senior police officer said 5,000 additional personnel had been kept in reserve from other districts to reinforce the deployment. The arrangements are being coordinated with 220 CAPF companies earmarked for New Delhi, adjoining districts, border areas and other key locations.

Thirty CAPF companies will be deployed during each shift, with three shifts planned throughout the day. The deployment could be increased depending on the situation, particularly 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.

Surveillance has also been stepped up, with more than 10 CCTV cameras installed in and around Central Park and Rajiv Chowk to monitor the gathering and preserve footage in case of any violation or untoward incident.

DELHI TRAFFIC POLICE ISSUES ADVISORY

Meanwhile, the traffic movement on as many as 21 roads in and around Connaught Place is likely to be affected from 3 pm onwards. The proposed restrictions might apply to several key roads, including Sansad Marg, Janpath and Barakhamba Road.

The police will station personnel at strategic locations, put up barricades and regulate the movement of protesters and commuters to maintain law and order, a source said.

Meanwhile, in an advisory that did not explicitly mention the CJP, the Delhi Traffic Police urged commuters to plan their journeys in advance, allow extra travel time and use public transport wherever possible.

Traffic diversions may also be introduced depending on the situation, it said, advising people to follow directions issued by traffic personnel and monitor the department's social media handles for real-time updates.

The planned gathering has been called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has urged the general public and its supporters to assemble at Central Park and wave the national flag as part of its protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that citizens were being jailed for waving the national flag, citing the arrests of fellow functionaries Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

"Why does the Prime Minister of India hate the Tiranga so much? If he hates the Tiranga, does he deserve to be the Prime Minister of India?" Dipke said while addressing a press conference.

He also claimed that vehicles without number plates were following him and that Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel had been seeking updates from the watchman outside his residence.

Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday and lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail after being accused of violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar, which has been de-notified as a designated protest site.

Dipke said the police may detain him before the planned demonstration.

DELHI HC REFUSES TO RESTRAIN DEMONSTRATION

On Thursday, the Delhi High Court refused to restrain the CJP and Dipke from holding a protest at Central Park, even as it took on record the police's assurance that all possible steps would be taken to regulate and control the activity of the protesters.

During the day, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced that the venue would remain shut on Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17.

The civic body only cited "administrative reasons" behind the two-day park closure.

The Delhi Police has urged people to stay away from the proposed 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march citing prohibitory orders, but said it could facilitate a select group of people to wave the Tricolour and sing the national anthem at a suitable place.

It said several traders' and market associations in CP and surrounding areas have sought protection for their establishments from violent elements and unlawful assemblies, which could adversely impact business during the ongoing festival season.

DELHI ROADS LIKELY TO FACE CURBS

01. Sansad Marg

02. Baba Kharak Singh Marg

03. Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg

04. Panchkuian Road

05. Basant Lane

06. Chelmsford Road

07. Minto Road

08. Barakhamba Road

09. Kasturba Gandhi Marg

10. Janpath

11. Rail Bhawan

12. Rafi Marg

13. 'C' Hexagon

14. Mandi House

15. Patel Chowk

16. Windsor Place

17. Gole Dak Khana

18. Ashok Road (from GPO to 'C' Hexagon)

19. Tilak Marg

20. Tolstoy Marg

21. Sikandra Road

DELHI TRAFFIC POLICE ADVISORY

• Plan your journey in advance and allow extra travel time.
• Use public transport wherever possible.
• Follow the directions of traffic personnel deployed at the site.
• Do not park vehicles on the roadside; use designated parking only.

- Ends
(With inputs from agencies)