Around 500 Detained as Delhi Tightens Security at Jantar Mantar Protest

Delhi Police said around 500 people arriving in groups from different locations were detained on Saturday as security restrictions were enforced across the capital during a protest called for 10 am at Jantar Mantar.

Police said nearly 50 additional people with criminal antecedents had been apprehended as a preventive measure. Demonstrators were also detained after gathering at Jantar Mantar and Sansad Marg amid extensive barricading.

“Around 500 people coming in different groups from various locations have been detained,” Delhi Police said, adding that the separate preventive action was intended to stop individuals from disturbing public order or inciting trouble.

The demonstration was called to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police had denied permission, citing a previous breakdown of law and order in the area.

20 SECURITY ZONES, TEMPORARY DETENTION CENTRES

Police said New Delhi district had been divided into 20 operational zones, with dedicated detention arrangements for each.

“Stadiums across the national capital have also been converted into temporary detention centres,” police said.

Six designated holding locations were identified: Chhatrasal Stadium, Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Yamuna Sports Complex, Surajmal Stadium and community centres in Daulatpur and Pandrawal.

The security deployment includes Delhi Police, the Rapid Action Force, the Central Reserve Police Force and the all-women Pink Force. Police teams have been authorised to carry lathis and batons and instructed to avoid verbal confrontations with protesters.

SPIKE STRIPS, BARRICADES AND DRONES

Spike strips were installed on roads in the Mohan Estate area to restrict vehicular movement and regulate access. Barricading was intensified at key intersections, while entry points to Delhi and major transport hubs were placed under heightened security.

Personnel were deployed around central administrative areas, including the roundabout near Hotel Le Méridien, where drones were being used to monitor crowd movements.

According to ANI, the arrangements were intended to prevent a recurrence of disturbances during the July 20 protests.

METRO ACCESS RESTRICTED

ANI reported restrictions at 46 Metro stations during the security operation. A separate official communication cited by the agency showed that Delhi Police had requested the closure of entry and exit gates at 57 stations, along with reduced train frequency.

The request covering 57 stations was broader than the reported restrictions at 46; it did not establish that all the proposed closures had taken effect.

Several trains at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station were also reportedly cancelled.

RESTRICTIONS IN GAUTAM BUDDHA NAGAR

Separately, the Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Commissionerate imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita from October 10 to October 20.

The order cited upcoming festivals, examinations and demonstrations planned by farmer unions and political organisations as reasons for the measures.

In Delhi, organisers of the Jantar Mantar demonstration, the Cockroach Janata Party, maintained their protest call despite the denial of police permission. The gathering comes amid a wider political dispute over electoral-roll revisions and Opposition allegations of electoral irregularities.

With inputs from ANI