The Delhi Police has begun preparing for the Cockroach Janta Party’s ( CJP ) proposed September 5 march, with officers assessing the expected crowd, monitoring organisers and considering additional paramilitary deployment, even though the group is yet to seek official permission for the protest.
The group has alleged that the Centre failed to honour commitments made to young protesters when the Jantar Mantar stir was called off last month. Families of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) aspirants who died by suicide and victims of alleged police brutality are expected to participate, along with students, youth organisations and young citizens from across the country. They have also maintained that protests and marches are permitted only near Jantar Mantar and require prior permission. With the proposed route falling outside a designated protest site, police are also considering asking the organisers to shift the venue, depending on the estimated turnout.
On Monday, the CJP announced a peaceful 2.5-km march from India Gate to the Delhi police headquarters on Jai Singh Road. Police had earlier said that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita are already in force in the New Delhi district area where India Gate is located.
“The department has not received any request for any march or protest from their side,” said deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma. A CJP spokesperson said they will be informing the Delhi Police about the protest in the coming days. Police have now started “chalking out” plans to ensure “nobody” is allowed at India Gate, said one officer, asking not to be named. Police said they will also push for a venue change from New Delhi district to Ramleela Maidan or other place, based on the estimated number of protesters.
Two officers told HT that senior police officers, including joint commissioner of police (New Delhi) Nupur Prasad and officers of the New Delhi district, held meetings on Tuesday to assess the proposed protest and maintain security in the area.
