NEW DELHI: The day that began with Delhi Police reaching Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke’s residence, escalated into detentions at Connaught Place and Mandi House, and saw hundreds of protesters turn up with the Tricolour amid a heavy security deployment.By Friday evening, around 150 people had been detained during the planned ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march and parallel demonstrations in central Delhi.The protests had been called against the detention of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to five days of judicial custody after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar without authorisation.As Dipke urged people to wave the national flag at Connaught Place, student and Left organisations planned a separate demonstration near Mandi House, demanding chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police reach Dipke’s residence before the march
More than 20 Delhi Police personnel visited Dipke’s residence in Jhandewalan earlier on Friday and served him a notice directing him to refrain from any action that could prejudice the rights of citizens, traders, commuters, patients and others.Dipke had called for people to gather at Central Park in Connaught Place at 5pm with the Tricolour.In a video posted on X, he said the march would demonstrate that waving the national flag was not a crime. He had also appealed to people in other cities to organise parallel flag marches.Police subsequently detained Dipke preventively while he was on his way to Connaught Place. He was taken to Jafarpur Kalan police station, police sources said.According to news agency ANI, an officer told Dipke that he was being detained under preventive measures, citing Section 163 restrictions in Connaught Place.Police had also served him a separate notice concerning an earlier undertaking to maintain public peace.
Security tightened around Connaught Place
Ahead of the planned march, police cordoned off Central Park, forming a human chain along its metal railings. Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed inside the park, while a tear gas vehicle and a Vajra vehicle were stationed outside.Police personnel were also deployed along Connaught Place’s inner and outer circles to regulate traffic. Authorities cited the lack of official permission, restrictions on public gatherings at Central Park and prohibitory orders in force in the area.The security arrangements came a day after the New Delhi Municipal Council announced that Central Park would remain closed on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons.
Protesters gather, police begin detentions
Despite the restrictions, protesters reached Connaught Place carrying the Tricolour and raising slogans. Police began detaining demonstrators, saying those attempting to disrupt law and order would be taken into custody.By the evening, around 150 people had been detained, police said. A senior officer said the situation remained peaceful and that the priority was to maintain law and order and ensure smooth traffic movement.Police also allowed marches by different groups raising various slogans, even as they continued to remove protesters from restricted areas. The detentions led to jostling among crowds, camera crews and security personnel.
AISA chief Neha Bora detained at Mandi House
Meanwhile, a parallel protest took shape near Mandi House, where members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and Left organisations had gathered to demand Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.AISA chief Neha Bora was preventively detained while on her way to join the demonstration. The protesters raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission of India.Hundreds of people, including CJP members and student activists, gathered at Connaught Place and Mandi House for a series of flash protests. Some waved the national flag as police maintained a heavy presence at both locations.
More than 6,000 personnel deployed
Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces deployed more than 6,000 personnel across the capital ahead of the demonstrations.Delhi police commissioner Anurag Kumar visited the DCP New Delhi office at Parliament Street police station to review security arrangements.The commissioner also visited the South Campus and Satya Niketan areas with senior officers to review law and order and student safety.The team interacted with students, particularly women living in paying guest accommodations and hostels, and directed local police to strengthen patrolling and visible security measures.The protests came amid CJP and Opposition parties’ ongoing agitation against alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.They also followed the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue, with Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground identified as alternative locations for demonstrations, subject to permission.(With agency inputs)