Delhi Police Detains Over 700 Protesters Demanding CEC's Resignation
Mass Detention During Protest Against Chief Election Commissioner
New Delhi: On Friday, Delhi Police apprehended over 700 individuals, including leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and various student organizations, during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
Authorities implemented prohibitory measures and increased security personnel to avert any unauthorized gatherings in the vicinity, according to officials.
Political factions and members of groups such as AISA, SFI, and NSUI protested, demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar due to alleged discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and widespread voter deletions.
The police stated that permission for the protest had not been granted, leading to the detention of approximately 700 protesters from Jantar Mantar and its surroundings.
A police source reported that around 700 SFI members were halted at the Ashoka Road roundabout while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar around 11 am, with many being detained.
Additionally, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was prevented from proceeding to the protest site at North Avenue, as confirmed by a senior officer.
Among those detained were AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, and Atishi, as well as several activists from AISA, SFI, NSUI, and other student organizations.
The police established extensive security measures around Jantar Mantar, deploying additional personnel and erecting barricades at various locations to restrict access for protesters.
Numerous protesters were observed attempting to breach barricades on Firoz Shah Road as police intervened to prevent them from advancing towards Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police also made repeated announcements urging individuals not to gather at Jantar Mantar, emphasizing that no assembly had been authorized at the protest site.
Authorities indicated that the detentions were necessary to prevent unauthorized gatherings in the area.
In conjunction with these security measures, the Delhi Metro temporarily suspended entry and exit at several stations in central Delhi.